Lillian Tan loves accomplishing goals and having
fun as Fraport USA’s NY VP
Lillian Tan is the vice president in the New York region for Fraport USA where she is responsible for overseeing a team
of five members for the company’s contract for management and development of the concessions program for
Jet Blue Airways at Terminal 5 in John F. Kennedy airport.
Through her work for the company, Tan
makes it a personal goal to feel like she made a
contribution for the people she works with and
feels satisfied by fulfilling the goals of Fraport
and JetBlue to “improve the customer ground
experience and add value to the real estate asset.”
Tan got into the aviation industry by working
for Port Authority in waterfront redevelopment
before going into leasing and administering
foreign trade zone in Port department, which
is where she says she “got the real estate bug”
because the role combined her interest in physical
design as well as real estate development in
public sector. Tan worked for LaSalle Partners
in management, leasing, and redevelopment of
commercial office buildings in private sector, followed
by working for MarketPlace Development,
managing, and developing the contract with the
Port Authority.
Some of the biggest challenges Tan has faced
in her aviation career are the events of 9/11 but
also “the challenge of managing through the pandemic
in which everything that we once could
count on is no longer,” she said.
Throughout her career, Tan is most proud
of “building strong, cohesive teams and accomplishing
the project goals while having fun,” and
WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT
HOMETOWN: East Brunswick, NY
HOBBY: taking advantage of NYC’s many
cultural (museums) and entertainment (jazz)
offerings, traveling and hiking.
FAVORITE MOVIE: The Godfather
TRAVEL GOAL: travel abroad again to almost
anywhere
2021 Airport Voice
Woman of Achievement
Airport Voice
Mina Azar, VP of Alpha Priority Services, delivers
career advice and inspiring perspective on success
Mina Azar is the vice president of Alpha Priority Services, a worldwide network for airport concierge
2021 AIRPORT V 36 OICE WOMAN OF ACHIEVEMENT
and ground transportation services.
believes that find “a holistic approach to problem
solving and working with a team” is part of what
has made her as successful as she is today.
“My inspiration came from seeing how these
projects could affect the airport experience in a
positive way for office workers in the buildings or
travelers while adding value for real estate owners
and landlords,” said Tan.
Through her role she loves to help others and
be a voice for her colleagues and believes her
drive, passion, and work ethic are what have led
her to where she is today. Azar also feels that in
order to be successful, you must “love what you
do, without that there is no success.”
Azar’s path to success had many challenges,
but also moments where helping to uplift others
offered its own sense of fulfillment, especially after
the pandemic changed all of our lives. She and
her team worked together in many ways, such as
providing complimentary airport greeters and
ground transportation for frontline workers in
New York City and Los Angeles throughout the
pandemic.
In addition to this, she and her colleagues
teamed up with Blue Porter Inc. to provide PPE
supplies to hospitals and airports in the U.S.
“I am extremely proud and humbled that we
had the resources to assist others in times of
need,” said Azar. “That was definitely a heartfelt
moment in my career; to be able to give back to
others in times of need is priceless and nothing
can compare.”
While Azar notes that the aviation industry
is mostly driven by men, she has been inspired
by “strong individuals” along the way, especially
the CEO of Alpha Priority Services, who “has
been an exceptional mentor that paved a path” for
her success. The strong women she encountered
WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT
HOMETOWN: Vancouver
HOBBY: Artistry
FAVORITE BOOK: Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
FAVORITE MOVIE: Inception
TRAVEL GOAL: To go on a safari in Africa!
FAVORITE QUOTE OR MOTTO: “Learn as
though you would never be able to master it
“- Confucius
2021 Airport Voice
Woman of Achievement
Airport Voice
throughout the course of her career gave Azar
“the opportunity to learn, aspire, and grow-this
is the mantra.”
“The biggest challenge is that this industry is
not for the faint of heart.,” said Azar. “You have to
be on your “A Game” at all times and be willing
to put in the work. Leave no margin for error-that
inspires you to step outside of your comfort zone
to perfect and master your craft.”