PITTSBURGH, Jan. 30, 2017 – AIRMALL USA is pleased to announce the appointment of Ben Zandi as president and chief executive officer, overseeing the North American operations of parent company, Fraport, effective immediately. A global airport company, Fraport serves more than 230 million travelers in 24 airports and nine countries. In the U.S., its award-winning airport concessions program, Airmall, is in four major airports.
“We are honored to have an accomplished business leader and innovator focused on our growth in North America and expanding our U.S. footprint,” said Charles Weinland, chairman of the Board of Directors of Airmall. “Ben brings a depth of experience, tremendous energy and insight to our strategic vision. Our focus is on enhancing the customer and passenger ‘breakthrough’ experience at all of our airports. We and our airport partners are in excellent hands with Ben Zandi at the helm.”
Mr. Zandi has more than 30 years of experience in hospitality, business management and retail and restaurant development and operations with a record of increasing shareholder value and exceeding revenue and profitability goals.
“Fraport is a major international player with an impressive wealth of knowledge,
talent and resources,” added Mr. Zandi. “I am passionately committed to
positioning the Airmall brand for the 21st Century as best in class by
creating breakthrough services, products and experiences to serve the shifting
customer base. It’s an exciting time.”
Mr. Zandi joins Airmall following his role as executive vice president of operations of PGHC Inc., a privately owned restaurant company based in Dedham, Mass. with annual revenue of $250 million.
Prior to joining PGHC Inc., for 12 years, he owned and operated Zanick Inc., a regional restaurant group and consulting firm based in Bristol, Tenn., and grew the business to more than $15 million in annual revenue. He also served as director of operations of all retail, food and beverage concessions in major airports for Host Corporation by Marriott for 13 years.
Mr. Zandi’s commitment to serving the community has included his leadership of nonprofit organizations and term as vice mayor and as city councilman of Bristol, Tenn. Giving back is a high priority in his new role. “I am honored to be able to touch the community in a profound way with our partners at the airports and local and small business owners,” said Mr. Zandi. “This is a unique opportunity to create better airports and better communities.”
Mr. Zandi is certified by the Management and Strategy Institute as a Six Sigma Black Belt Professional.
About AIRMALL®
Airmall is the developer and manager of the retail, food and beverage operations at Pittsburgh International Airport, Boston Logan International Airport (terminals B and E), Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, and Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. A leading airport concessions model in North America, Airmall boasts among the highest per-passenger spending and receives accolades for innovation and customer service. For more information, visit airmall.com. Airmall USA, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide, the global airport company based in Frankfurt, Germany. For more information about Fraport, visit fraport.com.