TOP 100 MAGAZINE

Lori M Ballard

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With more than 20 years of experience in the aviation industry and over a decade in diversity program management, Lori M. Ballard brings a rare blend of operational insight and advocacy to the airport concessions space. As president and owner of Ballard Associates, based in Detroit, Lori leads a consultancy dedicated to supporting small, minority, disadvantaged, and women-owned businesses in navigating the complexities of airport-based opportunities.

 

Ballard Associates, founded in 2012, specializes in business development and certification, stakeholder engagement, and airport concessions operations. Lori’s unmatched depth of knowledge in programs like the federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Airport Concession DBE (ACDBE) certifications allows her to guide clients with an “insider” perspective—one shaped by years on the ground in airports and in the boardroom.

 

Lori’s impact extends beyond her firm. She founded the inaugural regional Detroit chapter of the Airport Minority Advisory Council and has served in leadership roles for the Airports Council International – North America, including chair and vice chair of its Finance committees. Her past role as DBE coordinator for the M-1 Rail project with Stacy Witbeck further deepened her experience in public infrastructure and business inclusion.

 

A graduate of Central Michigan University with a master’s in public administration, Lori is a recognized industry trailblazer, honored with multiple awards from Delaware North, Paradies Lagardère, Wayne County Airport Authority, and the National Association of Women Business Owners.

 

 

Lori M Ballard
President and Owner
Ballard Associates
Website: www.BallardAssociatesllc.biz

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lorimballard

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BallardAssociates

Instagram: @ballardassocllc