MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, MINN — The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) has hired Jason Paltzer as assistant director, concessions and business development. In this role, Paltzer will lead initiatives that drive the evolution of Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport’s (MSP) expansive concessions program. He will also develop additional innovative revenue strategies to provide high-level services and offerings to passengers and other customers.
MSP Airport’s concession program consists of 125 food, beverage, retail and specialty service venues. Paltzer will oversee tenant leases and relationships, with a broader focus of identifying new business opportunities to support revenue growth. MSP is the 17th busiest airport in the country, serving more than 36 million passengers in 2025.
Paltzer brings over 20 years of retail and airport concessions experience to the MAC. Prior to this role, he spent more than a decade at the Indianapolis Airport Authority leading or managing concession programs including food and beverage, retail, advertising, rental cars and other commercial activities. He has extensive background in budgeting, negotiating contracts and lease agreements, building community partnerships, and leading strategic planning to support organizational goals.
“Concessions are key to delivering positive experiences at MSP and to supporting the airport’s long-term success,” said Anne Saxton, the MAC’s director of concessions and business development. “Jason’s proven track record in growing revenue, partnerships and strategic initiatives will strengthen and elevate MSP’s award-winning experience. We’re excited to welcome him to the team and look forward to his leadership in driving business development.”
The MAC has launched its most significant concessions redevelopment at MSP in more than a decade, with plans to open 47 new venues across the airport’s two terminals by 2029. A request for proposals (RFP) was released on May 26 outlining the redevelopment of 80,000 square feet — 40% of the total concessions program — for food, beverage, retail, news, convenience and spa venues. The RFP complements a smaller concessions makeover currently underway in Terminal 2 consisting of eight new units that are opening in phases through early 2027.
Paltzer holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
About The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC)
The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) owns and operates one of the nation’s largest airport systems, including Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) and six general aviation airports. The MAC’s airports connect the region to the world and showcase Minnesota’s extraordinary culture to millions of passengers from around the globe who arrive or depart through MAC airports each year. Though a public corporation of the state of Minnesota, the organization is not funded by income or property taxes. Instead, the MAC’s operations are funded by rents and fees generated by users of its airports. For more information, visit www.metroairports.org.
