The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority has received national recognition from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its commitment to small and disadvantaged businesses. At its annual Civil Rights Training Conference, the FAA honored the Airports Authority with its 2020 Civil Rights Advocate and Partner Award. The FAA, through its Office of Civil Rights, administers programs to help airports maintain standards for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) participation in contracting and concessions opportunities.

“It’s an honor to receive this prestigious award, which is given to airports that use innovative approaches to eliminate barriers and increase participation of DBEs and ACDBEs in contracting and concessions opportunities,” said Julia Hodge, vice president for supply chain management. "I'm extremely proud of the team effort at all levels across the organization that contributed to this recognition." 

The Airports Authority exceeded its DBE and non-Rental Car ACDBE participation goals at both Reagan National and Dulles International in 2017, 2018 and 2019 and was specifically recognized by the FAA for achieving these participation levels in federally funded contracts and concessions.

“Reagan National and Dulles International are places where people come together from across the country and around the world,” said Wande Leintu, deputy vice president for supplier diversity. “These cultural intersections provide opportunities for businesses large and small to access a highly diverse marketplace. In that spirit, the Airports Authority engages with small and disadvantaged businesses to keep them informed of opportunities to tap into that market as they arise.”

In its selection, the FAA also recognized the Airports Authority’s enhanced outreach efforts, which included active engagement in over 50 events, reaching thousands of businesses in 2019 and supplier development initiatives, including the Airports Authority’s Small Business University programs, which aim to build small business capacity and fuel the growth of local and disadvantaged business enterprises across the metropolitan Washington region.