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Nancy K. West is the Founder and Managing Member of Exstare Federal
Services Group, LLC®, a full-service management consulting firm specializing in designing
high level policies, conducting analytical studies, providing support services, and engaging in advocacy for disadvantaged
business enterprise participation in federally-assisted airport contracts and concessions. Prior to her tenure at Exstare,
Ms. West was a Senior Vice President at Xenophon Strategies, Inc., a strategic communications firm. She successfully represented
a variety of client interests at the federal level, and was heavily engaged in firm-wide business development and firm management.
Before joining Xenophon, Ms. West was a Senior Policy Advisor in the Thelen Reid & Priest law firm's government affairs
practice. For five years, she represented client interests on significant public policy matters, including dissolution of
the northeast interstate dairy compact; increasing the airport passenger facility charge; obtaining authorizations and appropriations
for port, transportation and airport projects; resolving immigration matters; and assisting clients with government contract
matters.
Ms. West has also enjoyed a successful career in public service. As the first Assistant Secretary of
the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority from its beginning in 1987 until 1998, Ms. West was responsible for providing
high level administrative support and policy advice to the Board of Directors on the planning, development, analysis and execution
of a broad range of business matters concerning the construction, operation and management of Reagan Washington National Airport
and Washington Dulles International Airport.
Prior to her tenure at the Airports Authority, Ms. West served
for six years at the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT), first as Confidential Secretary to the General Counsel,
then as Staff Assistant to the Deputy Secretary and finally as a Special Assistant in the Office of the Secretary. Ms. West
was responsible for confidential special projects, administrative support services, annual budget development and oversight,
contract administration, management improvement programs, and policy development and management of a wide range of programs
for seven offices within the Office of the Secretary. Prior to her tenure at USDOT, Ms. West worked for Members of Congress
in both the House and the Senate, and for the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Ms. West is a past chairperson
of the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) and its sister organization, the AMAC Educational and Scholarship Program,
Inc. (AMACESP). Under her leadership, AMAC's credibility and visibility in the airport industry increased, and the organization
enjoyed the highest member retention rate in its history. Ms. West is also an active member of the Airports Council International
- North America (ACI-NA). She initiated the first ACI-NA associates mentor program, the first joint ACI-NA/AMAC contracting
procedures seminar, and the first industry-wide survey of best disadvantaged business enterprise program practices in concessions
and professional services at U.S. airports. She is the immediate past Associate Representative of the ACI-NA Business Diversity
Committee and
currently a member of the ACI-NA Concessions Contracting and Business Practices Working Group .
Ms. West's leadership, negotiation skills, consensus building and strategic
thinking played a major role in the enactment of federal legislation requiring disadvantaged business enterprise participation
in airport car rental concessions. As a result, the Federal Aviation Administration and AMAC presented their highest national
achievement awards to Ms. West for her legislative and regulatory work.
Ms. West has been an effective member
of management teams for nearly three decades and is known for her ability to get the job done. She is recognized throughout
the airport industry and business community as a subject matter expert on 49 CFR Part 23 and Part 26 programs, and is a frequent
speaker and writer on national policies affecting airports and the businesses that serve them.
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