Nicole Noll-Williams awarded Airport Manager of the Year by Michigan Association of Airport Executives

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 27, 2025

Contact: Narine Manukova
517-490-8232

LANSING, Mich.— The Michigan Association of Airport Executives (MAAE) has honored Nicole Noll-Williams, president and CEO of the Capital Region Airport Authority (CRAA), which owns and operates the Capital Region International Airport (LAN) with the 2024 Airport Manager of the Year Award. The award recognizes Noll-Williams' exceptional leadership and her significant contributions to Michigan's aviation industry.

“It gives me great pleasure to present MAAE’s Airport Manager of the Year Award to Nicole Noll-Williams of the Capital Region International Airport,” said Cheryl Bush, MAAE’s past president. “Her contributions to the mid-Michigan aviation region are extensive and she is an inspiration to her peers.”

“Nicole’s tenacity, leadership, and influence in the region have generated much success to secure funding for large infrastructure projects, including the cargo apron expansion at LAN, and expansion of the air service program in Lansing,” Bush said. “Mrs. Noll-Williams is also commended for her work in the community to expand aviation educational opportunities by introducing aviation to future generations – a much needed cause in our industry. MAAE is proud to have Nicole’s leadership and positive energy as a part of our association as we work to promote aviation leaders and airports in Michigan."

The Airport Manager of the Year Award is an annual honor bestowed by MAAE to recognize outstanding leadership in airport management. Recipients are selected based on their commitment to safety, operational efficiency, and community involvement.

“We knew we made the right choice when we brought Nicole on board to lead our airport,” said John Shaski, Chairman of the Capital Region Airport Authority board of directors. “Nicole is a strong, visionary leader with an incredible work ethic and dedication, and we are thrilled that the aviation community honored her with this prestigious award.”

“The Capital Region International Airport has seen remarkable growth and innovation since Nicole became president and CEO,” said Tim Daman, president and CEO of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce. “Nicole’s strategic initiatives have not only enhanced passenger experience but also bolstered the airport's role as a vital economic engine for the Lansing region.”

Noll-Williams doesn’t plan on slowing down anytime soon. Nicole is working hard on many new projects at the LAN, including infrastructure and air service development.

“I am truly honored to be recognized by my peers with this prestigious award,” said Nicole Noll-Williams. “Leading the Capital Region International Airport has been an exciting and rewarding journey. This achievement would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our Capital Region Airport Authority board of directors, dedicated CRAA team, and business and community partners who have embraced our vision. Together, we’ve made significant strides, but there is still much more to accomplish. I look forward to continuing our work to establish LAN as a premier gateway for cargo and passenger travel, driving economic growth and connectivity across Michigan and beyond.”

“Nicole has been an exemplary leader in our community, and it was just a matter of time before the aviation community recognized her vision and hard work,” said Paula Cunningham, Chair of the Board, Mid-Michigan Business Travel Coalition. “In these difficult times in the aviation industry, Nicole did not shrink from a challenge, but instead challenged the entire business community to raise the stakes and send a message that Lansing is the right place to invest and grow. We cannot wait to celebrate all the additional projects which are currently in the works at the airport.”

Founded in 1949, the Michigan Association of Airport Executives is a professional organization dedicated to promoting the development and improvement of airports throughout Michigan. MAAE provides a platform for aviation leaders to exchange ideas, advocate for beneficial legislation, and collaborate with regulatory agencies to ensure the state’s aviation infrastructure meets evolving demands.

For more information about the Capital Region International Airport, visit www.flylansing.com

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The Capital Region Airport Authority owns and operates the Capital Region International Airport (LAN), Mason Jewett Field Airport (TEW) and Port Lansing – a global logistics center and mid-Michigan’s only U.S. Port of Entry. The Capital Region International Airport is an important asset in the mid-Michigan community, driving $1 billion annually in economic impact with 700 people employed at the airport. The airport welcomes more than 352,000 visitors each year to connect throughout the country and the world. In addition to providing corporate and general aviation, the Capital Region International Airport moves 63.5 million pounds of cargo annually and is one of two airports in the state with a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Federal Inspection Station. Port Lansing, mid-Michigan’s only U.S. Port of Entry and home to Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) #275 covering eight counties, also features a 48,000-square-foot cargo facility and container freight station, and 425 acres of ready-to-develop land. For more information, go to FlyLansing.com and visit the airport’s Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X accounts.