Strategic Alliances (M/W/DBE)

HMSHost is committed to forming lasting, viable partnerships with diverse businesses. The Strategic Alliances team was created to focus on cultivating strong relationships with minority-owned and women-owned business enterprises with a special interest in those certified as Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (ACDBEs).

Strategic Alliances seeks partners in the areas of design, construction, concession operations, food and beverage supply, and related services. HMSHost has formed valuable partnerships with a broad base of diverse businesses such as Bowa Construction, Ellis Island Tea, SB&J Enterprises, and True Flavors. HMSHost is the largest airport concessions operator in North America, and last year its 115+ ACDBE partners generated over $400M in revenue.

To inquire about partnering with us in one of the areas mentioned above, please fill out the form at the bottom of this page.

Meet Our Partners

Take a look at some of our current ACDBE partners below.

Nailah Ellis-Brown - Ellis Island Tea

Nosa Ehimwenman - Bowa Construction

Wicker Park Seafood & Sushi and Starbucks Ribbon Cutting with Bowa Construction at ORD

Yolanda Johnson - SB&J Enterprises

Sue Johnson - SB&J Enterprises

Rhonda Johnson - SB&J Enterprises

Chef Johnny Hernandez

VP of Strategic Alliances

Shelby M. Scales is Vice President, Strategic Alliances at HMSHost where she champions over 100 Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) partners generating nearly $500 million in revenues.

Shelby’s career in small business development and diversity inclusion spans 25 years, most recently as Director of the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) for the U.S. Department of Transportation. Shelby is the former Director of the Office of Civil Rights with the North Carolina Department of Transportation and served as President & CEO of the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC). Early in her career as the Small Business Program Officer for Raleigh-Durham International Airport, she began its Historically Underutilized Business Program serving minority- and women-owned businesses, as well as the Small Emerging Business Assistant Loan Program for airport concessionaires. Shelby is the recipient of numerous honors, including recognition from the Federal Aviation Administration for her leadership in promoting improvements for DBE programs.

Shelby earned a bachelor’s degree in communications at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has completed the Women’s Executive Education Leadership Program sponsored by the National Institute of Minority Economic Development and the Tuck School of Business Minority Executive Business program along with many other continuing educational industry courses.