MCLEAN, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#CMAA16–CMAA presented its highest individual honor, the 2016 Person of the Year Award, to Thella Bowens, president & CEO of San Diego Regional Airport Authority.
The award was presented during CMAA’s National Conference & Trade Show in San Diego on October 11.
“The criteria for Person of the Year stress leadership, professionalism and a track record for making a difference. Ms. Bowens has truly excelled on all of these counts,” remarked the Association’s Immediate Past Chair and president and CEO of Safework Inc., Rebecca Jones, in presenting the award to Bowens.
As president & CEO, Ms. Bowens is responsible for management oversight of the Airport Authority’s annual operating budget and five-year capital budget.
Ms. Bowens was honored for innovatively managing the Authority’s nearly $3 billion capital portfolio. She set a new standard for sustainability by requiring all San Diego Airport projects be built to LEED Silver standards or better. She also helped the Authority become more open to alternative delivery methods, and has created numerous opportunities for the region’s small and disadvantaged businesses to participate in the Authority’s design and construction program.
“Ms. Bowens looks out for the community’s best interest as much as she does the airport’s,” said Jones. “What truly amazes me is how she’s able to do it without sacrificing one for the other.”
Thella Bowens holds a Bachelor of Arts from Barnard College of Columbia University and has done graduate work at the University of North Texas and the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She is also a graduate of the Executive Leadership Institute sponsored by the National Forum for Black Public Administrators.
CMAA is the leading organization advancing professional construction and program management worldwide. Its membership is comprised of nearly 16,000 public and private organizations, owners and individual practitioners. CMAA provides professional development, certification, advocacy and business opportunities to its members and the industry. The Association’s headquarters is in McLean, VA, USA and its website is www.cmaanet.org.
Contacts
CMAA
Matt Clarke, 571-777-3347
mclarke@cmaanet.org
