by Jeffrey McKinney
September 11, 2025
Nikki Tinsley Harland is acknowledged for her skill to drive development, foster innovation, and lead with integrity.
After serving as CEO of Concessions Worldwide LLC for 12 years and 42 years with the corporate, Donata Russell Ross will retire subsequent month.
Nikki Tinsley Harland, a seasoned chief within the journey retail business, will take over Oct. 6, the corporate mentioned in a press launch. The Atlanta-based Concessions Worldwide (CI) is one of many largest Black-owned airport concessionaires in America.
Russell Ross helped construct CI right into a enterprise with an annual income of $120 million and 1,100 workers. Throughout her time as CEO, the agency mentioned it boosted airport presence, added nationwide manufacturers, and elevated ladies and minority enterprise participation.
CI serves over 30 nationwide, regional, and proprietary manufacturers at nearly 40 areas in eight airports.
Russell Ross will stay board chair of H.J. Russell & Co. and help Tinsley Harland through the transition. That course of is anticipated to be performed by late Q1 2026.
“We couldn’t have discovered a extra good candidate to be my successor,” Russell Ross mentioned of Tinsley Harland. “Along with her Atlanta roots, data of the business, management expertise, modern spirit, and confirmed observe file, she is the best individual to steer CI into the long run and take CI to the following degree.”
Tinsley Harland will turn out to be CI’s prime govt after she was chosen by a CEO search committee consisting of Russell Ross’ brothers, Michael B. Russell and H. Jerome Russell.
The siblings are the youngsters of the late legendary Atlanta businessman Herman J. Russell, who began H.J. Russell & Co. in 1952. Now led by CEO Michael Russell, it’s one of many nation’s largest Black-owned development companies. It has been frequently listed on the High 100 listing of BLACK ENTERPRISE‘s annual rating of America’s prime Black-owned companies.
CI was based 46 years in the past by H.J. Russell and two enterprise companions, Felker W. Ward Jr. and Jesse Hill Jr. Russell purchased out the companions in 1999. CI turned fully family-owned.
Tinsley Harland has 12 years of management expertise within the journey retail business. She most not too long ago was chief working workplace at Paradies Lagardère, an Atlanta-based airport concessionaire that provides journey necessities, specialty retail, and eating.
CI cited Tinsley Harland’s skill to drive development, foster innovation, and lead with integrity.
“I’m excited to hitch Concessions Worldwide as CEO and construct upon the unimaginable basis and legacy established by those that got here earlier than me, and significantly by Donata, who has served as an business position mannequin for therefore many people,” Tinsley Harland mentioned.
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