The multi-billion dollar airline industry encompasses everything from one single aircraft carrying cargo and mail to different places to multiple aircraft carrying passengers to the different parts of the world - and the support systems, suppliers and people who manufacture the equipment and electronic systems that make them and keep them flying. But what is the role and impact of minority and women-owned businesses in this industry?
To discuss the airline industry's challenges, successes, and trends, Biz Talk host Joshua Smith will be joined on Thursday, February 3 by Mr. Don O'Bannon, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC), a national, non-profit trade association dedicated to promoting the participation of minority-owned, women-owned and disadvantaged business enterprises in airport contracts and employment opportunities. Also joining Josh and Mr. O'Bannon will be Mr. Chuck Covington, Member of the AMAC Board, Founder and Owner of People's Transit, a Michigan-based ground transportation company.
Mr. O'Bannon is vice president of the Small & Emerging Business Department at the Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport. He has more than eighteen years of industry and legal expertise. In addition to managing his own law firm, Mr. O'Bannon was also formerly a partner in several Dallas law firms; and served as division chief of the Business Litigation Section for Dallas Area Regional Transit. In addition to chairing the board of AMAC, Mr. O'Bannon serves on the boards of the African American Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater Dallas Asian American Chamber of Commerce Advisory Board.
In addition to starting People's Transit in 1998, Mr. Covington's background includes production control and purchasing positions at both General Motors and Ford Motor Company. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Great Lakes Chapter of the Association of Retail Travel Agents (ARTA); as well as ARTA's national Board, where he became the first African-American travel agent to serve as Chair of a major U.S. travel agent association.
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Listen to Biz Talk With Josh Smith every Thursday at 9:00 am EST on CBS Radio/BigTalker1580AM and on the Internet at www.whfs.cbslocal.com
Weekly Rebroadcasts of Biz Talk With Josh Smith air every Friday at 11:am EST on WCSU-FM 88.9 and on the Internet at www.wcsufm.org
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