Rita Cuddihy elected to head Naples Airport Authority board

The Board of Commissioners of the Naples Airport Authority has elected Commissioners Rita Cuddihy as chairman and Terry Cavanaugh as vice chair for 2025.

The board is comprised of five citizen volunteers, each appointed by the Naples City Council for a four-year term, to govern the Naples Airport Authority. Other commissioners are Kerry Dustin, John Crees and Robert Patten Burns.

After her election, Cuddihy appointed commissioners to serve on committees for the year. Cavanaugh chairs the Audit Committee, which includes Burns and Dustin, while Dustin chairs the Consultant Selection Committee, on which Burns and Cavanaugh also serve. Commissioner Crees will serve as the liaison to the Noise Compatibility Committee.

Cuddihy, appointed to the board in 2021, is retired from a dynamic career spanning travel and hospitality. She held multiple senior executive roles at Marriott International and served as President and CEO of US Airways Shuttle. Her leadership extended to top positions at US Airways and Continental Airlines, as well as a seat on Frontier Airlines’ Board of Directors. Even in retirement, she remains deeply involved in the industry, contributing her expertise to the Hospitality School Advisory Board at Metropolitan State University while being actively involved in Greater Naples Leadership. Cuddihy previously served as vice chair and as the board liaison to the airport’s Noise Compatibility Committee and to the Technical Advisory Committee.

Cavanaugh is the founder and managing partner of Accretive Consulting, an executive coaching firm. Previously, he enjoyed a 40-year career in the insurance industry with Chubb Group and as CEO of Erie Insurance Companies. Cavanaugh currently serves on the boards of Highmark Health and Selective Insurance. He has also held board positions on the Florida Lions Eye Clinic and volunteers at the St. Vincent DePaul Society- Naples Council.

Naples Airport Authority meetings are held monthly at Naples City Hall; meetings are open to the public and available for online viewing through the city’s website. For the meeting schedule, visit www.FlyNaples.com.