A Community Mentor and Role Model
The NAA’s Board of Commissioners is comprised of five members, each appointed to a 4-year term by the Naples City Council to govern the NAA, set policy and strategic direction. We are pleased to feature Commissioners to help you get to know them better.
Donna M. Messer is serving her community and the Naples Airport Authority well. A full-time Naples resident since 2012, Messer was first appointed to the NAA Board of Commissioners in 2014 and reappointed to serve another term in 2018.
Messer’s leadership and engagement in the community includes serving on the boards of both the Women’s Foundation of Collier County and Greater Naples Leadership. She is also the founder of the Arts, Recreation & Leisure Working Group of Collier County and a member of the Women of the (239).
Her community involvement complements a 30-year career with American Airlines in a variety of executive positions, allowing Messer to offer unique and expert contributions to the NAA Board—serving as chair in 2016, 2017 and 2018, as well as the Noise Compatibility Committee Liaison since 2014.
“I’m proud of the work that I have accomplished, along with my Board colleagues, in crafting, adopting and implementing an extensive strategic planning initiative,” said Messer. “In conjunction with the NAA’s Executive Director Chris Rozansky, we’re currently implementing a second iteration of the NAA’s 5-year strategic plan and one that is relevant to how the NAA operates now and into the future in concert with our community.”
Messer’s contributions also include enhancing the NAA’s relationship with the Federal Aviation Administration, resulting in the approval and commencement of the federal Part 150 Noise Study, which began in 2019 and is currently underway.
As she nears the end of her second term on the Board this fall, Commissioner Messer recognizes the work still to be done on the Part 150 Noise Study—consistent community listening, communications and education, finalizing the study and implementing the recommendations. “It’s a long and involved process, and so rewarding to be able to advocate for the community and collaborate on workable solutions to enhance the quality of life in Naples,” she continued.
When she’s not preparing for or participating in a board meeting, Messer dedicates her time to mentoring within the community for the Junior Women of Initiative at the Boys & Girls Club of Collier County. Near and dear in her personal world are her friends and family, including three grandchildren, the theater, and returning to her airline roots through domestic and international travel.
NAA Board Commissioner Donna M. Messer can be contacted at dmesser@flynaples.com.
Learn more about how to view and participate in the NAA monthly meetings here.
The next Commissioner feature will be published in Edition #6 – 2021/22 of the NAA’s Connections.