SSP America Announces New Appointment of Vice President, Business Development
LANSDOWNE, Va., Sept. 6, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SSP America, the North American division of SSP, the leading operator of food and beverage brands in travel locations worldwide, is delighted to announce the addition of aviation veteran and former airport director of the year winner, John Clark III, to its Business Development team. In his role as Vice President of Business Development, Clark will be responsible for developing new business opportunities and increasing the company's presence in the North American market.
Les Cappetta, President and CEO of SSP America commented, "We are excited to integrate John's talent and industry expertise in our pursuit to bring the very best to customers in travel locations across North America. He is an asset to our organization and we are proud to call him one of us, a true Food Travel Expert."
John D. Clark, III, most recently served as the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Indianapolis Airport Authority. The Indianapolis Airport Authority operates Indianapolis International Airport, which serves 8 million passengers a year, and five general aviation airports in the Indianapolis metropolitan area. During his tenure with Indianapolis Airport Authority, Clark was named the 2011 Airport Director of the Year for small-medium size airports by Airport Revenue News (ARN). Prior to Indianapolis, Clark served as Executive Director/CEO for the Jacksonville Aviation Authority for 14 years. An accredited airport executive, Clark has served as a board member for the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE); chair of the 2009 Airports Council International-NA (ACI-NA) Board of Directors and a member of the ACI World Governing Board for 5 years and the ENO Transportation Foundation Board. Clark's aviation career includes posts as Airport Director for the City of Detroit, Michigan; Airport Manager for Chandler Airport in Fresno, California; and business development director for the Sacramento County, California airports. He holds a master's degree in public administration from Golden Gate University.
"I am thrilled to be joining this team of experts. Airport customers' experiences have always been my top priority and I am eager to be working with SSP America, a company who shares in my vision and standards," commented John Clark III.
About SSP
SSP is the leading dedicated provider of food and beverage brands in travel locations, operating restaurants, bars, cafés, food courts, lounges and convenience stores in airports, train stations, motorway service stations and other leisure locations. With a heritage stretching back over 60 years, today SSP has 30,000 employees, serving over a million customers every day. It has business at over 140 airports and over 250 rail stations, and operates more than 2,100 units in 30 countries around the world.
SSP operates an extensive portfolio of over 200 international, national, local and speciality brands. These include Upper Crust, Starbucks, Caffè Ritazza, Burger King, M&S Simply Food, Millies Cookies, O'Learys, Caviar House & Prunier, and leading Asian brands Ajisen Ramen and Saboten, as well as stunning bespoke concepts such as the Montreux Jazz Café in Geneva and the award winning Center Bar at Zurich.
Its brand portfolio is tailored for each specific location, depending on variables such as passenger profile, consumer need states, location type, size and design.
About SSP America (SSP Canada)
SSP America operates in more than 40 airports across North America bringing a variety of local, regional and national brands to the traveling consumer at a vast array of price ranges. Third party brands in the company's broad portfolio include The Palm Restaurant, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Gordon Biersch, Panda Express, Tigin, Peet's Coffee & Tea, T.G.I. Friday's, Tim Hortons, The Great American Bagel and Buffalo Wild Wings. SSP America's brand portfolio also includes strong, local award-winning icons such as Laurelwood Public House & Brewery, Harry & Izzy's, Nonna Bartolotta's, and Mill Street Brewery Pub.
Contact:
Darleen Nascimento
SSP America
(703) 723-5418
(703) 462-4699 (c)
darleen.nascimento@foodtravelexperts.com
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