Vice President, Strategic Alliances, North America
Avolta

Shelby M. Scales is Vice President, Strategic Alliances, North America, of Avolta, a leading global travel experience player. Shelby was promoted to this role in 2023 following the business combination between Dufry and Autogrill, parent companies of Hudson and HMSHost, respectively. In this role, Shelby champions over 250 Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) partners generating over $600 million in revenue.

Shelby’s career in small business development and diversity inclusion spans 25 years, most recently as Vice President, Strategic Alliances, for HMSHost and, prior to joining HMSHost, as Director of the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) for the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Shelby is the former Director of the Office of Civil Rights with the North Carolina Department of Transportation and served as President & CEO of the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC). Early in her career as the Small Business Program Officer for Raleigh-Durham International Airport, she began its Historically Underutilized Business Program serving minority- and women-owned businesses, as well as the Small Emerging Business Assistant Loan Program for airport concessionaires.

Shelby is the recipient of numerous honors, including recognition from the Federal Aviation Administration for her leadership in promoting improvements for DBE programs.

Shelby earned a bachelor’s degree in communications at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has completed the Women’s Executive Education Leadership Program sponsored by the National Institute of Minority Economic Development and the Tuck School of Business Minority Executive Business program along with many other continuing educational industry courses.

FMP Director, Strategic Alliances, Corporate Operations
Avolta

Jonathan Coleman is Director, Strategic Alliances, Corporate Operations, of Avolta, the leading global travel retail and food & beverage player. In this role, Jonathan is a key member of the team focused on cultivating strong relationships with minority- and women-owned business enterprises, including Avolta’s Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) program, across the company’s food & beverage, duty-paid, and duty-free business lines.

Jonathan is a strategic operations leader who transforms complex multi-unit environments through innovative systems and authentic leadership. Since his promotion to this role in December 2024, Jonathan has already revolutionized operational efficiency by implementing automated systems for quarterly meetings, redefining roles and responsibilities of the company’s joint-venture partners and streamlining processes to allow teams to focus on strategic growth.

With over two decades of progressive leadership in high-volume hospitality operations, Jonathan brings a unique blend of operational excellence and relationship mastery to Avolta. His journey from managing frontline restaurant operations to directing strategic alliances reflects a deep understanding that success comes not just from operational prowess, but from the ability to collaborate, build consensus, and check ego at the door — lessons learned through experience that now define his leadership philosophy.

Jonathan's approach centers on making work both easier and more enjoyable. He has consistently delivered results across diverse environments, from managing a $9-million sports bar operation serving 2,000 daily guests at MGM Grand Casino to directing seven high-volume food outlets at MotorCity Casino. His talent development philosophy — identifying individual strengths and strategically stretching people while ensuring their success — has created a pipeline of promotion-ready leaders throughout his career, with teams ranging from 80 to more than 200 employees.

As a certified Food Management Professional with expertise in union collaboration, P&L optimization, and strategic planning, Jonathan combines analytical depth with motivational leadership to drive measurable results. His proven track record includes multiple "Store of the Year" awards, successful collective bargaining negotiations, and the implementation of training programs that enhanced financial acumen across entire management teams.

Jonathan holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and an Associate of Science in Mechanical Engineering Design from the University of Toledo. He is actively pursuing continued growth opportunities that leverage his unique ability to optimize operations while building winning cultures.

Director, Strategic Alliances & Business Diversity
Avolta

Liz Gonzalez Tetenbaum is Director, Strategic Alliances & Business Diversity, of Avolta, the leading global travel retail and food & beverage player. In this role, Liz is a key member of the team focused on the development and cultivation of strategic partnerships with small businesses nationwide, ensuring that diverse enterprises thrive and contribute meaningfully to Avolta’s growth.

A passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, Liz has built strong relationships with community and diversity organizations, positioning Avolta, alongside its North America subsidiaries HMSHost, Hudson, and Dufry, as a trailblazer in inclusive partnership development. She is committed to fostering a culture of equity and opportunity, working closely with internal and external stakeholders to empower small businesses with the resources and guidance they need to succeed. Her dedication is reflected in her daily interactions and strategic initiatives that drive performance and visibility for these partners.

Liz previously served as Director, Partner Relations & Business Diversity, for Hudson. Since joining Hudson in 2017, she has been an active member of the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) and currently serves as the Young Professional representative on the steering group for Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA) Business Diversity Committee. Her involvement underscores her commitment to advancing minority participation in airport concessions and promoting industrywide diversity.

Prior to Hudson, Liz gained valuable experience at Starwood Hotels & Resorts, where she supported the legal department in executing strategic initiatives during its merger with Marriott. This role sharpened her ability to navigate complex business environments and manage high-impact partnerships.

Liz holds a Bachelor of Science from St. Francis College and a Master of Business Administration from Sacred Heart University.

ACDBE Liaison Officer, Strategic Alliances, North America
Avolta

Veronica L. Brannigan serves as the Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Liaison Officer (ACDBELO) for Carolinas and is part of the Strategic Alliances team in North America at Avolta, a leading company in global travel experiences. She was promoted to this role in early 2025, where she is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) initiatives and collaboration with Joint Venture (JV) partners.

Veronica has over 20 years of experience in Food & Beverage Operations, having most recently held the position of ACDBE Liaison Officer for SAV Airport, the Carolinas and Strategic Alliances at HMSHost, a major operator in airport concessions, since joining the company in 2013. Veronica brings deep operational expertise and a long-standing commitment to business inclusion within the airport concessions industry. Throughout her career, she has worked in various roles, including General Manager, multi-unit manager, and Director of Food and Beverage.

With a strong commitment to advancing opportunities and promoting inclusion, Veronica actively works to connect diverse businesses with airport concessions across North and South Carolina and SAV Airport in Georgia. Her role as ACDBE Liaison Officer involves outreach, advocacy, and ensuring that underrepresented entrepreneurs such as MDBE/WDBE & SBE have access to opportunities and pathways for success in the thriving aviation sector.

ACDBE Liaison, Strategic Alliances
Avolta

Jose Santana is the ACDBE Liaison Officer for HMSHost by Avolta at John F. Kennedy International Airport and Laguardia Airport, where he oversees compliance, vendor engagement, and joint venture collaboration to support the airport’s diverse business partners

Jose brings extensive experience in business development, public service, and entrepreneurship. He previously served as Economic Development Director for New York State Senator James Sanders Jr., where he advanced community-driven initiatives and expanded opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses. He was also Co-Chair of the Operations and Enforcement Committee with NYC’s Department of Small Business Services under Mayor Eric Adams, helping to shape citywide small business policies and enforcement practices.

Earlier in his career, Jose worked as Business Services Coordinator at the Rockaway Development & Revitalization Corporation (RDRC), where he supported local businesses through technical assistance, workforce development, and community revitalization programs. As a former business owner himself, he brings firsthand insight into the challenges and opportunities faced by entrepreneurs.

Dedicated to equity and access, Jose has built a career in creating pathways for diverse businesses to grow and thrive within both the public and private sectors.