Renato “Ren” Camacho, president and chief executive officer of the Akron-Canton Airport, will give the keynote address at Kent State University at Stark’s 2022 Commencement on May 13.
Local graduates are set to take Canton’s biggest stage during the commencement ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
Stark County’s only public university is honored to celebrate its newest graduates.
“We are the county’s Hometown University, and we are happy to commemorate the occasion in a special way — in a landmark that’s synonymous with our region,” said Denise A. Seachrist, Ph.D., Kent State Stark’s dean and chief administrative officer.
More than 100 graduates have confirmed their participation in the commencement ceremony, but several hundred degrees will be conferred this spring, consisting of associate and bachelor’s degrees. Across the university, the Kent State alumni family will grow by thousands as the university celebrates the accomplishments of its Spring Class of 2022.
COMMENCEMENT WEBSITE CEREMONY LIVESTREAM
About Renato ‘Ren’ Camacho
A member of the Kent State Stark Advisory Board, Camacho has over 28 years of professional experience in the aviation and transportation engineering sectors, specializing in program management and customer service. He has implemented over $350 million of federally and locally funded projects for initiatives including: runway safety area improvements, master plans, lease negotiations with airlines, new business development initiatives and major airport infrastructure projects.
Camacho served as chief of planning and engineering with the City of Cleveland’s Department of Port Control, which oversees Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, Burke Lakefront Airport and the Lakefront Harbors. Prior to his Cleveland tenure, he spent 14 years with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, working in various capacities to complete major capital infrastructure projects including the World Trade Center site, George Washington Bridge, New York metro airports, Port Authority Bus Terminal and the Holland/Lincoln Tunnels.
At Akron-Canton Airport, Camacho’s core responsibilities include leading a 50-member team of airport employees, strategic planning for the future of the airport, and directing all capital improvement programs. Specifically, he works to ensure the airport is a vital, economic engine that increases economic activity and pride to Northeast Ohio.
Camacho received his master’s degree in transportation planning and engineering from Polytechnic Institute of New York University and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He serves on the Akron Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau Board of Directors, American Heart Association Stark County Executive Leadership Team, Aultman Health Foundation Board of Directors, Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Greater Akron Chamber Board of Directors, Lake Township Board of Directors, Stark Economic Development Board of Directors, and Visit Canton Board of Directors.
He has also received the designation of Accredited Airport Executive from the American Association of Airport Executives. He is a licensed professional engineer in the state of Ohio and Professional Traffic Operations Engineer, plus has received numerous awards for his work in the civil engineering and transportation sectors.