HMSHost names Shelby Scales as Vice President, Strategic Alliances

USA. Global travel restaurateur HMSHost has appointed Shelby M. Scales as Vice President, Strategic Alliances. She will lead HMSHost’s relationships with Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) partners and other woman- and minority-owned businesses.

Scales will work with the current holder of the position Ron Gomes until his retirement later this year. Gomes has worked for HMSHost for more than 26 years, including 16 years as Vice President, Strategic Alliances.

His successor’s career in small business development and diversity inclusion spans 25 years. Scales most recently worked as Director of the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) for the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Perfect fit: Shelby Scales has enjoyed a distinguished career working with women- and minority-owned businesses

She is the former Director of the Office of Civil Rights with the North Carolina Department of Transportation and served as President & CEO of the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC).

Early in Scales’ career as the Small Business Program Officer for Raleigh-Durham International Airport, she began its Historically Underutilized Business Program serving minority- and women-owned businesses. She also took charge of the Small Emerging Business Assistant Loan Program for airport concessionaires.

HMSHost noted that Scales is the recipient of numerous honours, including recognition from the Federal Aviation Administration for her leadership in promoting improvements for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) programs.

Welcoming Scales, HMSHost President & CEO Steve Johnson said: “HMSHost has developed an award-winning, industry-leading strategic alliances programme that champions over 100 minority partners generating nearly US$500 million in revenue annually. I cannot think of a more qualified and accomplished leader than Shelby Scales to take the helm of this incredibly important programme.“

He added: “Shelby has a deep passion for aviation and travel, and she is one of our industry’s strongest advocates for minority entrepreneurs. I am delighted she has elected to continue her distinguished career as part of HMSHost.”

Scales said: “I am honoured to join the HMSHost team to continue the distinguished work with the many ACDBE partners throughout the country. I look forward to building on the portfolio and supporting our strategy to provide the best brand in the industry.”

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