Hudson Names Courtney Thornton VP of Partner Relations & Business Diversity

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., March 31, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Courtney Thornton, a practicing attorney for nearly 20 years, has been named Vice President of Partner Relations & Business Diversity for Hudson Group. She will be responsible for managing diversity at Hudson locations across the country.

Courtney comes to Hudson following 16 years as In House Counsel to the New Orleans Aviation Board (NOAB), initially as a certified disadvantaged business enterprise, and later as Deputy Director of Legal Affairs for the airport. 

Michael R. Mullaney, Hudson Group's Executive Vice President of Corporate Strategy & Development, said: "We are delighted to welcome an expert of Courtney's stature and airport experience to the Hudson team. Her vast knowledge and experience in the area of ACDBE regulations and compliance provide our company with expertise and proper guidance in an area of our business that is directly connected to our growth and long-term success. Our seasoned, dedicated team of executives continues to be one of our key points of distinction, and Courtney is a welcome addition to that lineup." 

Ms. Thornton added: "I am very pleased to join Hudson Group, which has a distinguished record in diversity and inclusion in every facet of the business. Joining this motivated group of professionals that has made Hudson the industry leader in airport retail is an extraordinary opportunity for me."

Courtney has a keen understanding of the challenges that face small businesses, such as financing and risk. While at NOAB, she successfully expedited 160 contracts for Super Bowl 2013 that involved federally regulated DBE regulations, Airport Improvement Program grant assurances, joint venture guidance and FAA waivers for long-term exclusive contracts.

She also worked directly for the past eight New Orleans city attorneys, representing the airport's interests before the City Council and Civil Service Commission. She acted as an administrative hearing officer for DBE grievances and served as Director At Large board member for the Airport Minority Advisory Council. 

Previously, she served as Special Counsel to the law firm of Adams and Reese, L.L.P. specializing in Governmental Relations. Earlier in her career, she defended insurance claims at the law firm Chopin, Wagar, Cole, Richard, Reboul & Kutcher.

About Hudson Group:

Hudson Group is the largest duty-paid travel retailer in North America. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of international duty-free travel retailer Dufry AG (DUFN) of Basel, Switzerland. The company operates over 700 Hudson, Hudson News, Hudson Booksellers, cafes, specialty retail and duty free shops in 70 airports and transportation terminals in the United States and Canada. Dufry operates additional newsstands in 14 more countries around the world. Dufry operates over 1,400 stores in 45 countries and 180 airports and transportation terminals.

For more information, visit www.hudsongroup.com  and www.dufry.com.

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SOURCE Hudson Group