Maria Martinez Wins Election to AMAC Board
Congratulations to our own Maria Martinez, director of business development, for her election to the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) Board of Directors. AMAC is the only national, non-profit trade association dedicated to advancing the full participation of minorities and women in employment and contracting opportunities throughout the aviation and aerospace industries.
Maria is committed to serving causes that create a fair and equitable playing field for all. “As a Latina woman I’m passionate and committed to elevating the perception of Latinos in this country and help break negative stereotypes of what Latinos are, what we can be and what we can achieve,” she says. “I’m incredibly grateful to AMAC and its membership for giving me a platform to represent Latinos in a leadership role in the aviation industry.”
Maria is an At Large Board representative for AMAC responsible for amplifying the voice of underrepresented groups so they may have a level playing field when seeking advancement professionally and in business. Her efforts will support AMAC’s mission through fundraising efforts, promoting member programs and encouraging participation from members.
“I’m also committed to strengthening AMAC by attracting members of all minority groups and aviation related services currently underrepresented at AMAC,” she says. “I will promote for more Latinos and women members to engage with AMAC either as a volunteer or in a leadership role. I’m hoping that my involvement will serve as an example for anyone who wants to get involved and make a difference.”
Maria has been with Areas since 2021 and has over 15 years of franchising experience representing global brands such as UPS, Jack in the Box, Qdoba, and most recently IHOP and Applebee’s in business development leadership roles.
For more information about AMAC go to: amac-org.com.
Areas DBE Partner, Dee Robinson, Earns AMAC Catalyst Award
Congratulations to Dee Robinson on receiving AMAC’s Local Small Business Champion award. This award honors an individual who is viewed locally as a champion for small business growth and inclusion within the region of AMAC’s annual conference, which this year was held in Chicago, IL.
Dee is CEO and founder of Robinson Hill (RH) and is an Areas DBE partner at Chicago O’Hare International. A primary reason for her receiving this award is because Dee has instilled a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in the company throughout its 25-year history. Based in Chicago, IL RH has been a highly diverse company in race, ethnicity, religion, gender and sexual orientation from its very beginnings. She credits this mosaic and belief system for driving the growth and longevity of the company because she is convinced that diversity of thought and experience yield better outcomes financially, operationally, personally and professionally.
The value of hiring more women and minorities has been quantified and proven time and time again, she notes. “Our voices matter, until such time it becomes the norm, not the exception. We must be the change we hope to see,” says Dee.
RH, a certified ACDBE, MBE and WBE, manages and operates food and beverage and news and gift concessions in travel hubs across the country. Over the years, Dee has coached and brought many small businesses to the airport industry, including local companies who are now vendors to airport concessionaires, both on the restaurant and retail sides. She says she feels the need to empower others to fulfill their dreams and shorten their runway to success.
Dee herself took the risk of leaving a large, stable company to start her own small business and is empathetic to the risk and difficulties of starting a business, especially in airports. That is why over the years she has been devoted to mentoring other aspiring entrepreneurs and helping them succeed.
“Our voice matters. We have a responsibility to advocate for others, especially for minority-owned firms,” says Dee.
Areas is proud to partner with Robinson Hill powered by such a dynamic leader as Dee.
For more information about Robinson Hill go to: robinsonhillusa.com.