C-Suite: Kelly Johnson

Achievements: Johnson has served as XNA airport director since 1996. She was promoted to chief operating officer in 2018. Previously, she worked for the city of Fayetteville for more than 19 years. She received her Accredited Airport Executive status from the American Association of Airport Executives in 1991.

If you had $1 million to give, what causes would you support? That is a tough question because there are so many great causes that need support. My top three would be children’s food insecurity, transition animal shelters to no-kill shelters, and my church.

What is the best business advice you’ve received? Always keep learning and networking.

What is the best business advice you have given? Keep learning, networking, do everything with a sense of urgency and remember it is all part of the fun.

What keeps you up at night or worries you the most? Are we doing everything we can to keep our customers safe, secure, satisfied and off the road for their travel needs?

What’s your favorite restaurant in Northwest Arkansas for a business lunch? Crabby’s [in Rogers].

If you weren’t in your current profession, what would you be doing? Something else in aviation. My father was an aircraft controller, and I grew up running around the catwalks of control towers.

What’s the first website/app you launch on your smartphone each day? Calendar app to review my schedule for the day.

What is your “why?” Why do you get up in the morning, and what keeps you motivated? I love what I do. My motivation is making a difference for someone who needs to see a family member, get a business deal done or just needs a vacation for some down time.

In one sentence, can you express the most important thing about being a leader? Be authentic, have a vision, and make sure that vision is shared and effectively communicated with the team.