As the Chief Financial Officer, Mercedes Rendon oversees all of the company’s corporate finance and manages stakeholder obligations connected to the terminal redevelopment and management. Prior to her role as CFO, Mercedes was LGP’s Controller, with responsibility for the company’s accounting operations and financial planning and reporting. A skilled finance executive, Mercedes has more than 25 years experience, including her role as SVP, Financial Controller of SmartStream Technologies. Mercedes is a graduate of Baruch College.
How did you get your start working at the airports or in aviation?
Mercedes Rendon: After 20+ years in private accounting and fintech, I was looking for a change, a place where I could bring my professional expertise and find renewed passion in a discipline that I love. The opportunity to join LaGuardia Gateway Partners and work alongside the team behind the monumental redevelopment of LaGuardia Terminal B presented itself. The prospect of being part of the transformation of such an iconic landmark was exciting. As a native New Yorker, I could not pass on the opportunity to work on this project, not only to reshape the airport but to also play a role in redefining the travel experience. Eight years later the journey in aviation continues, the industry is evolving, innovation in airport operations is abound, and the sky’s the limit.
Is there an airport redevelopment project that you are most interested in seeing completed?
Mercedes Rendon: I am really anticipating the completion of JFK Terminal 6 in 2026. Our friends at JFK Millennium Partners, a consortium led by Vantage Group, have worked tirelessly on the redevelopment project and I’m impressed by their quick progress and am always excited to hear the latest updates about Terminal 6 as we inch closer and closer to its completion.
Do you want to tell us about any sustainability initiatives your company has implemented?
Mercedes Rendon: LaGuardia Gateway Partners has an unwavering commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship in aviation infrastructure. In fact, Terminal B is the recipient of two LEED® Gold certifications, the first for design and construction and the second in 2024 for its operations and maintenance (O&M) practices.
While we’ve set numerous sustainability initiatives in place, one of our marquee programs involves waste diversion. Our annual waste audit helps yield an understanding of what comprises our terminal waste and enables us to develop plans to increase our waste diversion in the coming year. In 2024 we started a food donation program with our commercial partners and Gotham Pantry, which both reduced waste and provided food to neighbors in need.
We also installed new AI-powered trash receptacles in the terminal called Oscar, which help guests understand what they can and can’t recycle. Guests can hold up their trash items to a camera and the Oscar screens instruct them on what bins to use. As recycling laws differ by state, this system is especially useful to our airport terminal which welcomes guests from all over the country and the world.
What is the most memorable moment during your career in aviation or at the airports?
Mercedes Rendon: The most memorable moment of my career by far has been the reopening of Terminal B at LaGuardia Airport. I joined LaGuardia Gateway Partners in 2017 in the early stages of the redevelopment program, and I witnessed the terminal landscape change on an almost daily basis. The new terminal opened in phases, and we had our first milestone with the opening of our eastern concourse in late 2018. That first concourse was transformational and built up even more excitement for the headhouse opening. However, no one could have predicted we’d be opening the headhouse in the midst of a global pandemic in 2020. During an incredibly challenging time for aviation and NYC, the headhouse was a moment of pride. We completed the terminal in 2022—on time and on budget, and the following year, we won World’s Best New Airport Terminal from Skytrax.
Does your company have internships or other programs to attract young employees?
Mercedes Rendon: For over two years we’ve worked with Vaughn College on an internship program in our Operations Department for students interested in pursuing careers in terminal management and the greater aviation industry. Last fall we extended this program to York College’s students as well. Many of our interns were subsequently hired by LGP and we’re glad to still have them as valuable members of our team today.
How are the insights of women in leadership roles important in fostering innovation and the commitment to sustainability and inclusivity?
Mercedes Rendon: Women in leadership are an important element toward the prosperity of organizations committed to inclusivity and fostering success in valuable initiatives. At LaGuardia Gateway Partners, our devotion to inclusivity is underlined by our now majority-women-led executive leadership team flanked by myself, CEO Suzette Noble, and COO Klaudia FitzGerald. In the past couple of years, we’ve led Terminal B toward receiving a perfect 5-star rating from Skytrax, the first terminal in North America to achieve a perfect score and recognition as the world’s best new airport terminal. In 2024 we were honored to receive Terminal B’s second of two LEED® Gold certifications and launched our B-INSPIRED STEM Grant program in collaboration with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which will award an annual $15,000 grant to a local organization providing STEM programming to Queens residents. LGP continues to be an example of a women-led organization that drives innovation and gives back to the community to whom we love serving.
LaGuardia Gateway Partners
LaGuardia Airport Terminal B,
Flushing, NY, 11371
www.laguardiab.com
