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Akron-Canton's Rick McQueen says he's learned everything he knows from his visionary mentor, now-retired director Fred Krum
By Betty Lin-Fisher
Beacon Journal business writer
Published on Monday, Jan 26, 2009
There's a 14-year-old, handmade nameplate with two pennies bent in half on the desk of the Akron-Canton Airport's new leader.
Rick McQueen says it reminds him of how far the airport has come under the tutelage of Fred Krum, who retired in October after 33 years with the airport, including 27 years as director.
It has gone from a sleepy airport to one of the fastest-growing in the nation in the last 13 years, often bucking national trends with record passenger levels.
McQueen, mentored by Krum for 26 of those years, was named chief executive and president in October.
In 1995, CAK, as it is known in the industry, served 403,694 passengers. Its growth began when AirTran Airways started with one flight to Orlando in 1996. Over the years, AirTran continued to add destinations and Frontier Airlines, another low-cost carrier, began service in 2005.
In 2008, the airport had its best year ever, setting a passenger record with 1,469,196. The airport now hosts six airlines with 35 outbound flights a day. Sunday marked the start of its newest nonstop destination, a highly coveted flight to Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., through U.S. Airways.
That's a big difference from 1982, when McQueen arrived and the airport struggled to get 150,000 passengers a year.
''When I first came here, half of the lights in the terminal building were turned off because they were trying to save money,'' said McQueen, 49. ''As things started to get better and the facilities [improved], the passenger levels came up. We didn't have to pinch pennies.''
McQueen was the airport accountant in his first job. He eventually became controller, assistant director of finance and administration, and assistant director. Along the way, he was known for scrutinizing every expenditure.
''I kind of got the reputation of being the penny pincher and the tightwad,'' he said.
So when Nelson Wallace, former airport chief of security and fire and rescue, retired in 1994, he presented McQueen with the ''pinched pennies'' nameplate as a joke.
''I like it because it reminds me of where we were and where we are today. We can replace equipment we need. We don't have tons of funds, but we can do what we need to. We couldn't then. I'm still a bit of a tightwad,'' McQueen said.
Strong background
McQueen's financial prowess is one of his strongest suits, say friends and colleagues.
That and training by Krum, considered a visionary airport leader.
''We did consider looking outside and doing a national search, but it was unanimous that we elected to promote who we considered to be Fred's key right-hand man, and that was Rick,'' said Beth Houseman, an 18-year veteran of the airport board of directors, who was chairwoman last year when McQueen was chosen.
McQueen said his ascent to the top job is bittersweet. Krum told him in 1997 when McQueen was promoted to assistant director that he'd train him to take over one day.
But McQueen said he wishes the circumstances were different. Krum took a leave of absence in May 2007 after having surgery to remove a brain tumor. He officially retired in October, when McQueen was named.
Former colleagues say they know Krum is pleased with the choice of McQueen and the promotion of Kristie Van Auken, senior vice president and chief marketing and communications officer.
Houseman said Krum was fully supportive of McQueen to head the airport, which has 46 employees of its own and 1,300 total working for airlines and other companies.
''It hasn't been that long since I've talked with Fred. He's very proud of all of the employees of the airport and particularly Rick and Kristie. He has really brought them along. They've all grown tremendously,'' Houseman said.
Kevin Healy, senior vice president in charge of marketing and planning for AirTran Airways, said, ''I know unequivocally that [Fred] thinks the world of Rick and took great comfort in knowing if anything ever happened to him that Rick would be there.''
Healy, who has worked closely with Krum, McQueen and Van Auken for 10 years, said the airport is fortunate to have a management team that has been together for a long time and works well with airlines.
''Rick is extremely bright, extremely capable and has benefited greatly from having worked with Fred,'' Healy said from his office in Orlando, Fla. ''I'm very encouraged that we're not going to lose any momentum. Rick and Kristie and the rest of the team will keep all of the positive things going.''
Needed a job
Krum took a chance on McQueen in 1982.
Born and raised in North Canton, the son of Carolyn and the late Robert McQueen graduated from Hoover High School and then Walsh College (now Walsh University) with a degree in accounting finance.
McQueen went to work for a large accounting firm in Canton on the audit staff.
But he realized within six months that he didn't like the job. So he quit.
Mark Mazzaferri, a longtime friend and running buddy from Walsh, was still in school. Among a group of cross-country runners, McQueen was the first to get out of school and get a job.
''Being a marathoner, he goes with that nature. He's steady and sure. He stays the course. For him to [quit] was quite unusual,'' said Mazzaferri, who has gone for runs with McQueen each Sunday for the last 30 years. ''He really didn't like that job.''
McQueen, the youngest of four children, was 22 years old and living at home with his parents.
His oldest brother, David, was working at their father's sign shop. David McQueen heard that Krum, an acquaintance from high school, might need an accountant.
He called Krum at the airport.
''He needs some experience getting an interview,'' David McQueen recalled telling Krum. ''I know you're looking for somebody. Can you just talk to him? You don't have to hire him. Fred said immediately, 'Sure, send him up.' The rest is history. They really did hit it off very, very well. They certainly made a fantastic team.''
Rick McQueen said he didn't even know there were floors above the concourse at the airport. But he interviewed on a Wednesday and started the next Monday.
''Everybody loves airplanes. Sitting in this office talking to Fred, I thought, 'This would be really cool,' '' McQueen said. ''I didn't realize I'd be here for 26 years.''
McQueen said it is unusual for both him and Krum to have stayed in their positions for so many years. Typically, administrators jump from airport to airport every few years.
Akron-Canton was always a fun place to work and the years flew by, McQueen said.
''One day you're downstairs making sure the bathrooms are clean. The next day, the president shows up,'' he said.
McQueen said he never thought of leaving the area for another airport job.
''I'm a local guy,'' he said. He and his wife of 21 years, Karen, a Canton attorney, have two boys and live in Plain Township. Rob is a University of Toledo sophomore and Max is a junior at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, where he plays basketball. McQueen makes a point to attend every home and away game.
Continuing the legacy
In his new job, McQueen will be a strong leader to continue the airport's growth, colleagues said.
McQueen's former position of assistant airport director has not been filled. When he took the top job, he suggested to the board that he do both jobs for 18 to 24 months, considering the economic conditions. Van Auken was also promoted to take on more responsibility and be the primary public ''face'' of the airport. But McQueen said he will still be active in the public and available when necessary.
''My side of the house has always been facilities,'' he said.
Van Auken said McQueen has a different style from Krum in his attention to calculations and detail.
''Where Fred might just go ahead and make a decision and think about the consequences later, Rick doesn't do that. Frankly, we needed Fred's risk-taking and his entrepreneurship at the time and now we need what Rick brings to the table,'' said Van Auken, who has been with the airport for 12 years.
''Each risk we take has the best payoff for the airport and the community. It's a maturity for the airport and where we are.''
The airport has plans to continue its growth while recognizing the things that travelers have come to appreciate, such as keeping amenities like parking as close as possible, McQueen said.
The airport is starting on what is called ''CAK 2018,'' a 10-year, $110 million capital improvement plan. Planned projects include extending a runway to be able to accommodate a nonstop flight to anywhere in the United States, Mexico and Canada; expanding parking for cars and planes; and expanding the ticket wing and a new concourse.
Krum played a major part in the vision of the plan and McQueen said he spent a lot of time executing the details.
McQueen said he wants to continue Krum's legacy.
''I only know one way to run an airport. That's how he taught me,'' McQueen said. ''There's a lot of things left out there to do.''
Betty Lin-Fisher can be reached at
330-996-3724 or blinfisher@
thebeaconjournal.com.
There's a 14-year-old, handmade nameplate with two pennies bent in half on the desk of the Akron-Canton Airport's new leader.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Posted 08:10 AM, 01/26/2009
That was a very well written story. Good job......
Posted 08:19 AM, 01/26/2009
Good story indeed, but why mention the nameplate without a picture?
I know petty on my part.
Posted 09:31 AM, 01/26/2009
Mr Mcqueen is a great guy i hope the airport continues to grow!!!
