Dawn Hunter, director of aviation commercial management at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), was named Property Manager of the Year for 2021 at the closing event of the Airport Experience Conference on Wednesday night.
Airport Experience News presented Hunter with the award in recognition of her hard work and experience in generating non-aeronautical revenue in the airport space, as well as her leadership acumen and the many positive relationships she’s forged in the airport space.
“It has been an amazing journey,” said Hunter at the ceremony while accepting her award. She thanked her current colleagues at SEA, including director Lance Lyttle, and she also gave a shout-out to former colleagues at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
“I’m thankful for the partnership I have with our concessions partners who teach me, and I learn from them every day,” she added.
Hunter joined SEA in 2017, advancing from her original title of senior manager of airport dining and retail to her current position in just a few years. Prior to joining SEA, Hunter spent over a decade with Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) as part of the concessions team’s commercial management group. She holds dual master’s degrees in public administration and policy.
“I’ve been humbled to watch her grow as a person from somebody who was in the business and performing the job to someone who’s actually influencing the environment that they’re in,” said Pat Murray, executive vice president at SSP America, who presented the award. “And her voice has made a significant difference at a time when we all needed it.”
Hunter was presented with her award at the 2021 Airport Experience Conference alongside the 2020 Directors of the Year: Paul Bradbury, airport director for Portland International Jetport (PWM), small airports division; Kevin Dolliole, director of aviation at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), medium airports division; and Bill Wyatt, executive director of the Salt Lake City Department of Airports.
