Michelle Tatom Orlando International Airlort Orlando , Florida June 2015
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Orlando International Airport
A thorough knowledge of the airport industry and a sincere passion for helping small , women and minority businesses succeed lie at the heart of Michelle Tatom ’ s excellence as the director of the Orlando Airport Authority ’ s ( OIA ) Small Business Development Program .
Michelle Tatom , A . A . E ., OIA Director of Small Business Development
In her role at OIA , Tatom manages six programs that create business opportunities for diverse firms in the Central Florida region in airport concessions , purchasing , airport planning , engineering and construction .
Tatom acquired a comprehensive knowledge base in airport management as one of the first African American women to earn the Accredited Airport Executive ( A . A . E .) designation from the American Association of Airport Executives ( AAAE ).
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The A . A . E . designation required Tatom to complete a course of study in the areas of financial management and accounting , capital development , and safety and security . In addition , Tatom is required to complete continuing education training to maintain her accreditation . She said , “ The accreditation process was tough , but it helped me have a full understanding of what goes into running an airport and helps me better advocate for diverse businesses , because I understand the business from the ground up .” Since becoming accredited in 2004 , Tatom has remained involved in AAAE by teaching the Certified Member Training course for the organization .
Her thorough industry knowledge helps Tatom and her five-person staff manage OIA ’ s Disadvantage Business Enterprise , Airport Concessions Disadvantage Business Enterprise , Local Developing Business , Minority / Women- Owned Business Enterprise , Small Business Enterprise and Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business progrms . These programs ensure that the airport provides significant opportunities to small and diverse firms in the community . “ Our executive leadership and board are very supportive of our programs and my office ’ s efforts to create opportunity ,” Tatom said .
OIA is also partnering with several agencies in Orange County , Florida to commission the Orange County Multi-jurisdictional Disparity Study . The study is led by MGT of America and is scheduled to be completed in fall 2015 . Tatom serves as a member of the leadership team for the study , providing insight , feedback and direction to the consultants to ensure a successful study .
OIA will use the results of the study to reaffirm its diverse business programs as the agencies prepares for one of the biggest capital improvement efforts in the airport ’ s history . The upcoming projects include over $ 2 billion in development for the airport to maintain its existing facilities and construct a new terminal to serve anticipated growth at the airport . The $ 2 billion in development is divided into a $ 1.1 billion project for the South Terminal Expansion and another $ 1 billion to follow in the future for a new terminal building . The new terminal project will begin when passenger growth necessitates the addition of another terminal building .
The South Terminal Expansion is already underway with over $ 853 million in projects in progress or set to begin in 2015 . The projects have M / WBE and DBE goals in excess of 30 percent . Contracts associated with this project include new roads , parking and infrastructure improvements that connect to a large intermodal transportation facility being built on the south side of the airport that will accommodate commuter rail stations . The project also includes an expansion of the airport ’ s Automated People Mover ( APM ) and a parking garage .
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