Clayton News Daily

By Maria-Jose Subiria

msubiria@news-daily.com

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has welcomed its new director of concessions, said a spokeswoman for the airport.

Paul Brown will lead all of the Concession-Unit projects at Hartsfield-Jackson, which include the food and beverage program, terminal concessions and advertising, said Katena Carvajales, in a prepared statement.

Carvajales said Brown joined the Department of Aviation, on Sept. 30.

"We are excited to have Paul Brown lead our concessions team as we begin working to reinvent our food and beverage offerings," added Arnaldo Ruiz, assistant general manager of commercial development, at the airport. "He has a proven track record in the airport concessions industry, the retail and restaurant industries."

Carvajales said Brown's extensive background in airport concessions includes working as a consultant for Minute Suites, which has a site at Atlanta's airport.

As a consultant for the private retreat, he has prepared successful proposals for airports in various locations, such as Miami, Fla., and Sacramento, Calif. He has also assisted the company in identifying potential airport locations, she said.

Brown has additional credentials with airport concessions, said Carvajales, including holding high-level management positions at WHSmith USA Travel, Airport Retail Management, as well as, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, in Seattle, Wash.

Brown obtained a bachelor's degree and master's degree in business administration and economics, from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, in Tallahassee, Fla., according to the spokeswoman.

Brown is the successor of John Cugasi, the previous director of concessions.