Pat Murray

Pat Murray is SSP America’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer and is charged with developing and growing the company’s portfolio across North America. Pat oversees a division responsible for business development, design & construction, brands & concepts, strategic partnerships, and industry relations.

Pat has been an instrumental force in realizing SSP America’s vision of delivering a ‘taste of place’ to North American airports, driven by SSP’s strong alliance of award-winning local brands, impassioned culinary professionals and leading restauranteurs. Pat is also recognized for spearheading unique strategic partnership models that have helped to drive innovation and transform business development within the travel food and beverage industry. His leadership and extraordinary commitment to the industry have been integral to SSP America’s dramatic and continued growth.

Pat’s background in restaurant management and concept development prepared him well for the multi-discipline environment of the food and beverage travel arena. Pat began his hospitality career with Al Copeland Investments at Copeland’s of New Orleans, where he rose through the ranks from entry-level manager to senior vice president of operations. During his 14-year tenure with the organization, Copeland’s grew from 8 restaurants in 3 states to 55 restaurants in 13 states. Pat then served as Director of Concept Development at HMSHost before joining SSP America.

Pat is a leading voice for the airport concessions industry having most recently served as the inaugural Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Airport Restaurant and Retail Association. During his tenure as Chair, he moderated more than 75 industry wide, weekly calls which brought together airport directors, airline executive, aviation finance experts and concession company executives to discuss the most pressing issues facing airports and concessions companies. Pat also worked closely with ACI-NA leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic on each of the pieces of legislation passed by the U.S. Congress in support of the aviation industry. Pat is a frequent speaker and panel participant at industry conferences as he is called upon to offer his expertise and insights on the fast-moving airport concessions industry.

Pat holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Government, U.S. Foreign Policy from Cornell University.