Indy Airport Growing Future Community Leaders

INDIANAPOLIS (June 21, 2019) – Indiana leadership programs are taking notice of the talented professionals working at the Indianapolis Airport Authority. Organizations and programs like the Leadership Indianapolis Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series, the Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation, the Indiana Latino Institute’s Indiana Latino Leadership Circle and the City of Indianapolis Axis Latino Young Professionals program have named IAA rising stars to their ranks of current candidates or recent alumni.

IAA Manager of Communications Megan Carrico recently completed the Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series. IAA’s Business Development Analyst Maggie Bishop was recently named as a 2019-20 fellow of the Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation. IAA Assistant Associate General Counsel Abel Contreras was named to the Indiana Latino Institute’s Indiana Latino Leadership Circle. Additionally, IAA Operations Assistant Tracy Guerrero recently graduated from the Axis Latino Young Professionals program through the City of Indianapolis.

“We are impressed with the dedication we see from Megan, Maggie, Abel and Tracy and the diligent work they have put into leadership development,” said IAA Executive Director Mario Rodriguez. “These community acknowledgements carry great weight and are tremendous honors for each individual and the IAA as a whole.”

Carrico, who joined the IAA in 2015, recently completed the 43rd class of the Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series. The 10-month program from Leadership Indianapolis brings together emerging leaders to learn about issues that drive Indiana. SKL was established to honor Stanley K. Lacy’s memory by encouraging and supporting young professionals in their community work. Carrico also currently serves on the Indianapolis Local Organizing Committee for the National FFA Convention, 500 Forward with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indy Gateway Board to support the west side of Indianapolis through community and economic development. Carrico was integral in the launch of the IND website in 2017 and several other customer service initiatives including the bi-annual Soaring for Autism program and IndyGo PUPstops at the airport. Additionally, she manages the IAA’s interactions with all local, national and international media regarding airport business and the various roles the airport plays in our community. Carrico is a Ball State University graduate, and a native of New Palestine, Ind.

Bishop, who joined the IAA in 2016 and was also named to the 2018 Airport Business 40 Under 40 list last July, was one of 20 fellows from throughout Indiana who were selected to the Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation. The purpose of the Foundation is to build a network of innovators and leaders who refuse to accept the status quo as good enough, constantly aim higher, and execute courageously. These fellows were selected based on their ideas to drive change. Bishop has a diligent and instrumental role in nearly all recent IAA air service achievements – including welcoming Spirit Airlines, the Allegiant Air crew base expansion in Indianapolis, the Delta Air Lines Paris flight and Routes Americas 2020. In the community, Maggie represents the IAA with the Indianapolis Sports Corporation and Conexus, among other organizations. Bishop is a graduate of Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, and a native of Pearland, Texas.

Contreras, who joined the IAA in 2018, was named to the Indiana Latino Institute’s inaugural Indiana Latino Leadership Circle. This year-long program helps to identify and mentor emerging Latino leaders by connecting them with respected, influential community leaders and strategic empowerment opportunities. The Leadership Circle was put in place to nurture younger generations of leaders. Contreras primarily deals with insurance related concerns and contract revising and review. An Indianapolis native, Contreras is a Butler University undergrad and received his law degree from Northern Kentucky University.

Guerrero, who joined the IAA in 2017 and was a 2016 summer intern, recently completed the inaugural City of Indianapolis Axis Latino Young Professionals program. Axis focuses on personal and professional development for young Indianapolis Latinos, along with civic and community engagement, and the importance of diversity in leadership. At the IAA, her work with the operations team has helped to inform policies that impact the traveling public. Guerrero is a Purdue University graduate with a bachelors and master’s degree in aviation management. She was born in Los Angeles, and grew up in Indianapolis.

“We strive to hire the best and retain the best, and community leadership development organizations such as these help us develop our leaders of diverse talent, knowledge, experience and viewpoint,” said Rodriguez. “All of that combines to deliver a better job performance – and that translates into a better customer experience for travelers and increases IND’s public value to the community.”