By Judy Clabes
NKyTribune editor
Candace McGraw is arguably the most high-profile woman executive in the region. As chief executive officer of the Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport since July, 2011, she had led a team that has earned the airport recognition as the Best Regional Airport in America for five consecutive years.
Under her leadership, the airport has made terrific strides — completing a Master Plan Study, diversifying revenues through targeted cargo, land and concessions improvements, introducing — and expanding — low cost air service, solidifying long-term contracts with carriers, improving customer service and employee morale. She manages a $125 million operating budget and 400 employees in an enterprise that infuses $3.6 billion into the Tri-State economy.
She has been lauded as “Best Boss in Northern Kentucky,” as an Outstanding Woman of Northern Kentucky and as a YWCA Career Woman of Achievement. She has a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. She balances work and family life with ease and grace — wife to Joseph, a corporate attorney, and mom to three, including Luke, her 16-year-old son who died in 2010; Sean and Madeline.
She “stays focused and soldiers on,” keeps her perspective and sense of humor, is a collaborative leader who knows her job entails making the ‘tough decisions,’ and believes that her responsibilities extend to community involvement.
In an interview in her comfortable home in the Triple Crown development in Richwood, she is at ease with the conversation, open and engaging.
We laughed over the old adage that if you want something done, find a busy person to do it. But the real question was: With everything else on her plate, knowing she is in demand in many ways and that she has to make real choices about her time and commitments: Why choose to take on the responsibility as chair — volunteer chair — of the newly constituted Skyward, formerly Vision 2015, the new strategic plan for Northern Kentucky.
Q: Given all the demands on you and your time, why agree to take the Skyward chair?
Candace: When I moved to the region about 5 years ago, I said yes to everything so I could gain an understanding of the community and its issues. Now, I want to focus my limited time on organizations more aligned to the mission of CVG.
Q: What distinguished Skyward from all the other opportunities you could have had?
Candace: I liked the smart process. The incredible leadership that made a big plan, reached out to the broad community for input, aggregated and distilled a lot of data and built practical but measurable goals. I think it’s important to have a plan, work the plan and achieve the goals. I also know that if people are part of the plan, they’ll talk about that plan – and we need that kind of engagement.
Q: Is this how you manage all your responsibilities?
Candace: Yes, I believe in planning and goal-setting. That way, everyone understands what’s expected and how to focus.
I’m a collaborative leader who surrounds herself with competent people and lets them do their jobs. That’s the only way for an organization – any organization – to be effective. But, I do understand that the outcomes are ultimately my responsibility and that I have to take that responsibility and be held accountable.
Q: How would you describe the Skyward plan?
Candace: Bold. But with practical, measurable goals.
Q: What do you like about the Skyward plan particularly?
Candace: I like the balance – Jobs, Health, Vibrancy, Education. Those are the four primary focuses. If we focus, stick to the plan and execute it right, the quality of life in our region will be greatly improved and we will have been thoughtful about planting the seeds for progress..
Q. What’s the biggest challenge?
Candace: Jobs. The big challenge is addressing the lack of trained workforce for available jobs. That doesn’t necessarily apply to the airport because we have ample pools of applicants for our jobs, but others – especially in advanced manufacturing – have terrific challenges.
Q. What are your expectations?
Candace: Because of the people involved, the commitments and passion for the work, I expect success. I’ve make a commitment for a few years and I expect to have good results to show for that and that the community will see the benefits.
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