Meet the Board: Rita Cuddihy
Meet Commissioner Rita Cuddihy, a trailblazer in aviation! Rita is one of five citizen volunteers appointed to the NAA Board of Commissioners by the Naples City Council. She began her term in December 2021 and her term runs through December 2025.
Rita’s journey into aviation began at the State University of New York at Farmingdale where she became a private pilot while earning her AAS degree in Aerospace Technology before completing her studies at Metropolitan State University in Denver, CO with a BS in Aviation Management. Since then, she has spent 25 years in the airline industry, working her way up from being a ticket agent to executive roles, before ultimately becoming the President and CEO of the US Airways Shuttle.
Her subsequent 16-year career with Marriott International in senior executive positions is equally impressive, culminating in her management of a $1.4 billion region of hotels. Her previous board roles included membership in Galileo’s Owners Board, membership on Marriott’s Board of Directors Committee for Excellence, and membership in the Board of Directors for Frontier Airlines.
Rita now serves the NAA as the Noise Compatibility Committee (NCC) liaison. She previously served the board as the Chair of the Audit Committee and as the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) liaison. As the NCC liaison, she serves as a conduit, sharing information between the NCC and the NAA Board. Rita meets with and listens to residents, HOA leaders, elected officials and airport operators to understand the different perspectives regarding airport noise. She looks forward to finding noise abatement solutions that can help the community.
In addition to her volunteer work with the NAA, Rita is also currently volunteering on the Hospitality School Advisory Board for Metropolitan State University. She also serves on the Volunteer Opportunities Team for Greater Naples Leadership.
Her past professional roles and current volunteer experience show her dedication to the aviation industry, giving back to the community and making an impact.
Commissioner Rita Cuddihy can be contacted at rcuddihy@flynaples.com.
Learn more about how to view and participate in the NAA monthly meetings here.
About Naples Airport
Naples Airport is ideally located within minutes of downtown Naples, the Gulf of Mexico and I-75, connecting people to the Paradise Coast through an exceptional airport experience. The airport serviced over 122,000 annual operations in the last fiscal year, while being an engaged, responsive partner to the community. Home to flight schools, air charter operators, car rental agencies, and corporate aviation and non-aviation businesses, the airport is also a central location for public services, including fire/rescue services, mosquito control, the Collier County Sheriff’s Aviation Unit and other community services. The airport also prides itself on being the hub of emergency staging during natural disasters, like hurricanes and tornadoes, for first responders, lighting, and power crews.
All funds used for the airport’s operation, maintenance and improvements are generated from activities at the airport or federal and state grants from aviation-related user fees. The airport receives no local tax dollars. The Florida Department of Transportation values the airport’s annual economic impact to the community at $781 million.
For more information or to subscribe to email updates from the airport, visit www.FlyNaples.com