October 2025
DCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS NOMINEES
The DCA Board of Directors is expanding from 7 members to 9 members with the goal of increasing communication and participation within all of the concessionaires at DEN.
In our October 20, 2025 newsletter, we asked for nominations for the two additional Board of Director appointments.
Four people have been nominated:
Jacob Keller of the AVE Group
Mike Perez of City Park Foods
Cord Rauba of Provenzano Resources LLC
Nicolas Schaefer of SSP America
CANDIDATE BIOS
Jacob Keller - Director of Business Operations, The AVE Group
Jacob Keller is an experienced hospitality and concessions leader with more than a decade of success managing complex, high-volume food and beverage operations across airports, stadiums and arenas, and entertainment venues.
As Director of Business Operations for The AVE Group at Denver International Airport, Jacob oversees the financial, operational, and strategic direction of Novo Coee kiosks in Concourses A and B. He serves as the primary liaison between ownership and DEN administration, guiding business strategy, compliance, and participation in airport programs such as Excellence in Service and annual performance reviews.
Jacob’s background spans leadership roles at Mission Yogurt, Inc., where he managed multi-unit restaurant and concessions operations, as well as Biker Jim’s where he oversaw outlets at Empower Field, Coors Field, and Red Rocks Amphitheater. His experience includes full P&L responsibility, vendor partnerships, and sta development during challenging recovery periods for the airport concessions industry.
Earlier in his career with Levy Restaurants, Jacob held both accounting and senior operations roles supporting major accounts including The Ohio State University, The University of Colorado, and the Georgia World Congress Center Authority inclusive of the Georgia World Congress Center, the former Georgia Dome, and Centennial Olympic Park. There, he strengthened financial controls, developed reporting systems, and improved operational efficiency across large-scale events. A diverse concessions background provides Mr. Keller additional insight and perspectives applicable to operations in captive environments. This proficiency translates into creative ideas and solutions, increasing diversity in thought.
Beyond business performance, Jacob is deeply committed to supporting the people who power airport concessions. He advocates for better communication, training, and recognition programs for frontline staff, emphasizing that employee engagement and stability are essential to guest satisfaction and long-term operational success. As a member of the Denver Concessionaires Association Board, Jacob aims to represent both business and workforce perspectives, promoting collaboration between operators, the airport, and the teams who deliver hospitality excellence every day.
Mike Perez - Partner and Chief Operating Officer, City Park Food Services, LLC
Mike Perez is Partner and Chief Operating Officer of City Park Food Services, LLC (CPFS), an ACDBE-certified company specializing in the manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution of food and beverage items at Denver International Airport (DEN). Since 2012, Mike has overseen day-to-day operations, strategic growth, and prime concessionaire relationships, positioning CPFS as a trusted wholesale partner with full tarmac access and USDA/FDA/SQF compliant processes.
Prior to his current role, Mike served as Senior Vice President of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Denver (2008–2012), where he integrated strategic planning, budgeting, membership growth, and economic development initiatives for small businesses. He launched the Chamber’s procurement and certification program to expand opportunities for MWBE, ACDBE, SBE, DBE, and 8(a) businesses, while representing the organization on numerous regional leadership councils and development task forces.
Mike also founded and operated Platinum Funding, Inc. (1998–2008), a mortgage company where he managed underwriting, sales, and client relations while overseeing staff and investment properties. His originators license is still active in CO, CA and AZ with MegaStar Financial.
A Denver native, Mike attended San Jose State University where he was inducted into the SJSU Sports Hall of Fame (1999). He was drafted by the New York Giants in 1988 and enjoyed a professional football career spanning the NFL, World League, and Arena Football League, later coaching with the Colorado Crush as the Offensive Coordinator.
Mike remains deeply active in community and industry organizations. He currently serves on the Colorado Golf Association (CGA) Board of Directors and has previously served as Board Chair for both Environmental Learning for Kids (ELK) and the Five Points Business District, as well as a board member for the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP).
Cord Rauba - DEN Director of Airport Operations, Provenzano Resources LLC
Cord Rauba is the Provenzano Resources LLC (PRL) Director of Airport Operations at Denver International Airport where she has led the Specialty Retail Program since 2016. With over 30 years of experience in specialty leasing, Cord started her retail career as the leasing and marketing manager for a Denver-based multi-concept retailer. She subsequently served as Assistant Vice President, Specialty Leasing for the Macerich Company, overseeing 12 shopping centers programs across five states, and then managed the 16th Street Marketplace for the Downtown Denver Partnership.
At DEN, Cord champions PRL’s Small Business Launch Pad, recruiting and mentoring small business owners and local entrepreneurs to expand their business to DEN. She and her team empower and support small businesses and national brands to thrive in a dynamic airport environment. Cord actively participates in DEN’s initiatives such as the Business Development Training Academy and DEN outreach activities to provide opportunity, expand access, and exceed ACDBE participation goals—ensuring a vibrant, inclusive, and high-quality merchandise mix for the traveling public.
PRL manages over 50 locations operating on every concourse and advocates for the success of both small and large businesses who choose to do business at DEN.
Nicholas Schaefer - EVP of Business Development SSP America
He has lived and worked in Denver for 28 years and considers himself a local. He has had the pleasure of working in the aviation food service business for most of that time. He cut his teeth in the business by bringing Quiznos to airports across the U.S. and Canada. In addition to Quiznos, he led development for Einsteins Bagels, another aviation and home grown favorite. Having developed more than 300 airport restaurants, he feels he has a well-grounded perspective of how successful restaurants in airports look, run and thrive.
He has also worked on the concessionaire side of the business having key development roles for Delaware North and now with SSP America. He brings a broad range of experience involving leases, construction, long-term airport relationship management and operations to add impactful value and perspective to the DCA Board and its initiatives with DEN staff.
Today’s concession business is facing many headwinds, namely rising labor costs, inflated food costs and ever-increasing construction costs. The typical aviation business model must evolve while creating a win-win path forward with the DEN staff. My broad range of national experiences and best practices coupled with my local knowledge can certainly help the board and all the DEN concessionaires create a more fruitful path forward.
VOTE BY NOVEMBER 13, 2025
Please e-mail your vote to Fabby Hillyard at fabby6879@gmail.com. Fabby is our third-party consultant and lobbyist and will govern the vote. Each member can vote for up to 2 candidates.
Per our by-laws members with 1 to 4 locations will count as one vote, members with 5 to 9 locations will count as 2 votes, and members with 10 or more locations will count as 3 votes.
Please coordinate within your company to place your votes for up to 2 candidates.
Please place your vote by Thursday, November 13. Thank you!