Airport Experience News has selected HMSHost executive Ron Gomes as its AX Icon for 2023. For more than 16 years, Gomes has championed Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise partners in his role as vice president of strategic alliances for HMSHost.
“Ron has been a leader in advocating for ACDBE companies and the ACDBE program for many years,” noted Melissa K. Montes, vice president and publisher of Airport Experience News. “His influence has been felt throughout the entire airport concessions industry and will continue to resonate in the coming years.”
For the past decade, Ron has brought an analytical and business focus to HMSHost’s partnering efforts with diverse businesses, ensuring HMSHost’s industry-leading role in developing and promoting a successful M/W/DBE program.
“Spending the last 16 years championing minority entrepreneurs while building HMSHost’s Strategic Alliances program into one of the top in the nation has been a joy and the highlight of my career,” Gomes said. “I am deeply touched by this recognition and accept the AX Icon award humbly on behalf of the 120 ACDBE partners and industry colleagues I have been honored to work with. I have tremendous respect for those who paved a path for me in this industry and for those who will continue to support this mission for years to come.”
Gomes has announced he will retire later this year. Shelby Scales will succeed Gomes in the role and will work alongside Gomes until his retirement. Scales formerly was the director of the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization for the U.S. Department of Transportation. She also previously served as president and CEO of the Airport Minority Advisory Council.
