SSP America, a division of SSP Group, a leading operator of food and beverage brands in travel locations worldwide, has been joined by Dawn Hunter, a highly regarded aviation leader as the vice president of business development. SSP America is expanding its development team to meet the demands of its ongoing growth across airports in the United States and Canada.
Dawn commented, “The role created by SSP America is made to order for me as it leverages the experiences I’ve had leading commercial and development initiatives. It is an honor to join this incredible team who work collaboratively to manage an impressive growth strategy. I look forward to contributing to SSP America with my passion and solutions-oriented creativity.”
Dawn joins SSP America with over 15 years’ experience in commercial and aviation leadership. Prior to joining the SSP America team, Dawn was with the Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA) for six years initially serving as the senior manager for airport dining and retail. She most recently held the position of director of aviation commercial management department and interim chief operating officer. In this role Dawn was responsible for generating non-aeronautical revenue with a scope of responsibilities which included airport concessions, parking, ground transportation, and airport building facilities management. She represented the interests of tenants and business units when developing policies. Prior to SEA, Dawn worked for the City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) as the senior concessions manager and as the security manager in LAWA’s credential center. As the senior concessions manager at LAWA, Dawn identified new concessions opportunities within operating terminals, worked with other departments to set goals and develop initiatives for increasing small, local and minority business participation, and provided input and direction on concessions master plans with key stakeholders. Dawn holds dual master’s degrees in public administration and policy.
Deputy Chief Executive Officer Pat Murray commented, “Dawn is one of our industry’s most accomplished leaders renowned for her expansive knowledge of the commercial space, her ability to advocate for pragmatic and logical solutions and as a champion for minority and women-owned small businesses. She’s had an incredibly positive impact on the industry as a transformational leader, and we’re so excited to have Dawn as a part of our future.”