ACI-NA Welcomes New Government Affairs and Conference Staff
Eileen Denne, edenne@aci-na.org, (202) 293-4537
Megan Miller, mmiller@aci-na.org, (202) 861-8080
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington, D.C. (April 30, 2008)— Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) announced today the addition of four new staff members. Joining ACI-NA’s Government Affairs team are Rachel Wanner as Director; Annie Russo as Director; and Channon Hanna as Associate Director. In addition, Deirdre Clemmons joined ACI-NA as Director, Conferences.
“We are very excited to welcome these new team members to assist in both government affairs and conferences,” said Greg Principato, ACI-NA President. “Expanding our staff will allow us to expand our advocacy and educational efforts on behalf of airports and their passengers.”
All three new Government Affairs staff members will be involved in ACI-NA’s government relations activities, representing and advocating the interests of U.S. airports before Congress and the Administration, particularly the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration.
Rachel Wanner joined ACI-NA as Director, Government Affairs, beginning April 28. Wanner most recently served on the White House’s Homeland Security Council (HSC) where she served as HSC’s lead on the appropriations and budget processes. In that capacity she also coordinated interagency development of homeland security-related policy and monitored progress in achieving the Administration’s goals and priorities. Previously, she served Rep. Dan Lungren (R-Calif.) in a variety of capacities, including as his congressional campaign and finance director and as a Professional Staff Member on the House Homeland Security Committee.
Annie Russo began as Director, Government Affairs, on April 28. Russo most recently served as legislative director in the office of Congressman Albio Sires (D-NJ), where she oversaw the tracking of legislation for the various committees on which Congressman Sires was a member. She was also involved in relaying information to the Congressman’s constituents through various press-related communications.
Channon Hanna will join ACI-NA as Associate Director, Government Affairs, on May 5. She most recently served as legislative assistant on the U.S. Senate’s Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, where she helped draft several security provisions that were included in both the Coast Guard Authorization bill for 2006 and 2008, as well as the co-lead on the Maritime Administration Authorization for 2008. She also assisted in conference negotiations of the Security and Accountability for Every Port Act (SAFE Port Act) and has worked on several transportation safety issues.
Deirdre Clemmons (Dee) joined ACI-NA on April 24. Clemmons is a certified meeting professional (CMP) and most recently worked for the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) as Associate Director, Operations. At ACI-NA, Clemmons will oversee the coordination and execution of ACI-NA’s nearly 30 educational conferences that take place throughout the year.
Airports Council International - North America represents local, regional and state governing bodies that own and operate commercial airports in the United States and Canada. ACI-NA member airports enplane more than 95 percent of the domestic and virtually all the international airline passenger and cargo traffic in North America. Over 300 aviation-related businesses are also members of the association, which is the largest of the six worldwide regions of Airports Council International.
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