In honor of Black History Month, Stacey Armstead, Leasing and Airside Contracts Manager, MWAA, shared his personal stories, experiences, inspirations, what inclusion and diversity means to him individually and in the workforce.
Stacey Armstead
Leasing and Airside Contracts Manager, MWAA
What is your role at the Airports Authority?
My role is a unique one.
I’m the Operations Process Senior Analyst in the Operations Support group here at the Airports Authority.
My primary responsibility is to is to conduct analysis of existing operational processes and procedures at the Airports to identify opportunities for improvement, eliminate inefficiencies, and bolster productivity. In addition, my position periodically affords me the opportunity to lead the implementation of key operational initiatives and explore strengths and weaknesses of external opportunities to establish long term strategy objectives for the Authority.
I have found the key to success in this role is to hone my ability to collaborate across the organization. Building positive relationships is essential to gaining buy-in and getting projects across the finish line.
What was your career path?
I wanted to be a pilot; I love airplanes.
However, after some research and careful consideration, I decided to major in Aviation Management. I believed it would give me the best opportunity to learn about the business of aviation and serve as a better launching point for my career. I could always learn how to fly later.
I knew I wanted to be around anything airports. Coming out, I applied to every position I could find at my local airport: I just needed to get my foot in the door. From operations, to working the ramp to fueling, I applied for it all, but unfortunately, I received no viable offers. On the cusp of accepting a non-aviation related job, I received a call from the local fixed base operator to work in customer service.
From there, I hit the ground running. I learned as much as I could about the FBO industry from both the business and operational standpoint, always asking to take on more duties and responsibilities outside of my role. Through a willingness to relocate and cultivating valuable relationships, I was able to climb the ranks from a customer service representative to general manager of an FBO.
After 7 years, I felt it was time to shift my focus back to airports. After gaining experience the FBO business, I was able to transition to airport concessions and consumer development at MWAA where I participated in managing how the Authority administers non-aeronautical revenue contracts that help to bolster profitability and drive the growth of the business.
You are an alumnus of Hampton University. A storied institution that is one of the cornerstones of our nations group of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hampton has served as a cradle of education for black men and women in this country for decades. Speaking from that perspective, what does Black History Month represent to you?
During his remarks at the Dedication of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Barrack Obama said:
“...It reaffirms that all of us are America -- that African-American history is not somehow separate from our larger American story, it's not the underside of the American story, it is central to the American story.”
The importance of Black History Month, for me, is recognizing what it represents: It serves as a yearly reminder of the sentiment embodied in the words the former President spoke: Black History is American History, to be recognized not just in February, but every month of the year.
What has been your biggest challenge in aviation, and how did you overcome it?
My biggest challenge has been learning patience and making intentional career decisions. When I first started out, I had my heart set on being in a certain position within the industry by a certain age, so I constantly had irons in the fire, primed to take the next best thing offered regardless of the outlook of that position.
Life rarely happens exactly the way you want it to, and I learned to be patient and strategic in selecting the opportunities that presented themselves. I followed those opportunities through doors that may have never been opened had I blindly jumped at the first offer that came my way.
Are there any African-American figures in aviation who inspire you?
Sure, there are several black aviators of the past that I learned about growing up that inspire me like Robert Lawrence, the first black astronaut or Cornelius Coffey, who founded the first black owned flight school, to name a couple.
But most of all, I am inspired by the people I have come in contact with on my journey thus far. Learning about the journeys of my peers, sharing similar experiences, and absorbing valuable advice in navigating the spaces I’m in help me prepare what lies ahead. Having those interactions and actively building those relationships has been invaluable.