{"url":"https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/filings/DTIYZTRQ/McDonald_v_Metropolitan_Nashville_Airport__tnmdce-22-00514__0001.0.pdf","title":"Black executive sues airport authority over race, FMLA firing","domain":"pacermonitor.com","imageUrl":"https://images.pexels.com/photos/10875890/pexels-photo-10875890.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&h=650&w=940","pexelsSearchTerm":"Black executive airport","category":"Business","language":"en","slug":"c9c82772","id":"c9c82772-9c0c-4145-b647-1c908ec2d9fd","description":"McDonald Suit Filed: Edward McDonald, a Black former AVP of risk management, sued Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority in 2022 over his 2020 firing.[[1","summary":"## TL;DR\n- **McDonald Suit Filed:** Edward McDonald, a Black former AVP of risk management, sued Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority in 2022 over his 2020 firing.[[1]](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-tnmd-3_22-cv-00514/pdf/USCOURTS-tnmd-3_22-cv-00514-0.pdf)[[2]](https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/63589404/mcdonald-v-metropolitan-nashville-airport-authority)\n- **Dual Retaliation Claims:** He alleged race discrimination via unequal treatment and retaliation for discrimination complaints plus FMLA leave request, leading to reprimands and termination.[[1]](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-tnmd-3_22-cv-00514/pdf/USCOURTS-tnmd-3_22-cv-00514-0.pdf)\n- **Claims Advance Trial:** Court denied employer's summary judgment in February 2025, finding genuine disputes on discrimination, retaliation, and hostile environment claims.[[1]](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-tnmd-3_22-cv-00514/pdf/USCOURTS-tnmd-3_22-cv-00514-0.pdf)\n\n## The story at a glance\nEdward McDonald filed this employment discrimination lawsuit against the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) in U.S. District Court in Nashville on July 11, 2022. He claims his supervisors treated him worse than white peers, then fired him after he complained about race bias and requested Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave. The case gained attention with a February 6, 2025 memorandum denying MNAA's summary judgment motion, allowing all claims to proceed to trial.[[1]](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-tnmd-3_22-cv-00514/pdf/USCOURTS-tnmd-3_22-cv-00514-0.pdf)[[3]](https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/63589404/mcdonald-v-metropolitan-nashville-airport-authority/)\n\n## Key points\n- Plaintiff worked as Assistant Vice President of Risk Management from April 2019 to October 2020, reporting to white supervisors Doug Kreulen and Gale LaRoche after initial supervisor Doug Sloan.[[1]](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-tnmd-3_22-cv-00514/pdf/USCOURTS-tnmd-3_22-cv-00514-0.pdf)\n- In January 2020, he received a positive review calling his work \"outstanding,\" but soon complained to HR about limits on remote work, board meeting access, denied staff support, and condescending treatment compared to white peers like Traci Holton.[[1]](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-tnmd-3_22-cv-00514/pdf/USCOURTS-tnmd-3_22-cv-00514-0.pdf)\n- February 2020 brought a written reprimand for work and attendance issues; he responded alleging unfairness, later telling LaRoche he felt discriminated against due to race, prompting her to say it sounded like he was calling her racist.[[1]](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-tnmd-3_22-cv-00514/pdf/USCOURTS-tnmd-3_22-cv-00514-0.pdf)\n- After FMLA intermittent leave approval on September 8, 2020, and further complaints, he got another reprimand; on October 22, LaRoche fired him as a poor \"cultural fit\" amid fears he saw her as racist.[[1]](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-tnmd-3_22-cv-00514/pdf/USCOURTS-tnmd-3_22-cv-00514-0.pdf)\n- Claims include race discrimination and hostile work environment under Title VII, Tennessee Human Rights Act, and Section 1981; retaliation under those plus FMLA.[[1]](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-tnmd-3_22-cv-00514/pdf/USCOURTS-tnmd-3_22-cv-00514-0.pdf)\n- Court found factual disputes on whether performance justified firing or if race complaints and FMLA request caused retaliation and worsened environment.[[1]](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-tnmd-3_22-cv-00514/pdf/USCOURTS-tnmd-3_22-cv-00514-0.pdf)\n\n## Details and context\nMcDonald oversaw risk management programs at MNAA, which runs Nashville International and John C. Tune airports. Early concerns in fall 2019 about his work did not lead to written discipline until after his HR complaint. He cited specifics like white peers attending board meetings freely while he could not unless presenting, and getting resources he was denied.[[1]](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-tnmd-3_22-cv-00514/pdf/USCOURTS-tnmd-3_22-cv-00514-0.pdf)\n\nPost-complaint scrutiny ramped up: reprimands for budget prep, email tone, and RFQ handling. LaRoche delayed one reprimand due to family issues but proceeded after FMLA. Termination duties went to white consultant Robert Davidson and white Risk Manager Valeria Hamilton. The court noted MNAA's \"cultural fit\" reason but saw evidence linking timing to protected activity.[[1]](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-tnmd-3_22-cv-00514/pdf/USCOURTS-tnmd-3_22-cv-00514-0.pdf)\n\n## Key quotes\n\"Plaintiff Edward McDonald worked for Defendant Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (“MNAA”) as its Assistant Vice President (“AVP”) of Risk Management for approximately eighteen months from April 2019 to October 2020. He claims MNAA discriminated against him because he is black and then retaliated against him when he complained of race discrimination and sought leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act.\" – Court memorandum summary of complaint.[[1]](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-tnmd-3_22-cv-00514/pdf/USCOURTS-tnmd-3_22-cv-00514-0.pdf)\n\n\"I take offense... it sounds like you are calling me a racist.\" – Supervisor Gale LaRoche after McDonald raised race concerns.[[1]](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-tnmd-3_22-cv-00514/pdf/USCOURTS-tnmd-3_22-cv-00514-0.pdf)\n\n## Why it matters\nEmployment lawsuits like this test how employers handle complaints of bias and leave requests, potentially setting examples for public agencies on avoiding retaliation claims. For workers at MNAA or similar entities, it underscores risks of firing soon after protected complaints, even if framed as fit issues. Watch for trial outcome or settlement, as the case was set for trial after February 2025 but administratively closed by April 2025.[[3]](https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/63589404/mcdonald-v-metropolitan-nashville-airport-authority/)\n\n## What changed\nBefore October 22, 2020, McDonald held the AVP role with positive January review despite critiques. He was terminated that day, with duties shifted to white staff; LaRoche cited non-performance reasons tied to his complaints. This followed his September FMLA approval and October discrimination discussion with HR.[[1]](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-tnmd-3_22-cv-00514/pdf/USCOURTS-tnmd-3_22-cv-00514-0.pdf)\n\n## FAQ\nQ: What specific unequal treatment did McDonald allege compared to white peers?\nA: He claimed limits on his remote work while others had more flexibility, restrictions on board meetings unless presenting unlike peers like Traci Holton, repeated denials of staff support that white colleagues received, and condescending speech from supervisors. These started before but intensified after his complaints.[[1]](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-tnmd-3_22-cv-00514/pdf/USCOURTS-tnmd-3_22-cv-00514-0.pdf)\n\nQ: How did the FMLA request factor into the retaliation claim?\nA: McDonald applied for intermittent leave on September 8, 2020, which was granted; LaRoche voiced concerns about his ability to perform if absent often, followed by a reprimand days later and termination weeks after. The court saw disputed facts on causal link.[[1]](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-tnmd-3_22-cv-00514/pdf/USCOURTS-tnmd-3_22-cv-00514-0.pdf)\n\nQ: Why did the court deny summary judgment?\nA: Genuine issues existed on whether reprimands and firing stemmed from poor performance or from race complaints and FMLA use, including close timing and LaRoche's reactions. Hostile environment claims also had enough evidence of severe conduct.[[1]](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-tnmd-3_22-cv-00514/pdf/USCOURTS-tnmd-3_22-cv-00514-0.pdf)\n\nQ: When was McDonald fired and what reason was given?\nA: Termination occurred October 22, 2020; LaRoche said it was not performance-based but because he was not a \"cultural fit\" and viewed her as racist.[[1]](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-tnmd-3_22-cv-00514/pdf/USCOURTS-tnmd-3_22-cv-00514-0.pdf)","hashtags":["#employment","#law","#discrimination","#retaliation","#fmla","#titlevii"],"sources":[{"url":"https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/filings/DTIYZTRQ/McDonald_v_Metropolitan_Nashville_Airport__tnmdce-22-00514__0001.0.pdf","title":"Original article"},{"url":"https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-tnmd-3_22-cv-00514/pdf/USCOURTS-tnmd-3_22-cv-00514-0.pdf","title":""},{"url":"https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/63589404/mcdonald-v-metropolitan-nashville-airport-authority","title":""}],"viewCount":4,"publishedAt":"2026-04-21T14:50:25.489Z","createdAt":"2026-04-21T14:50:25.489Z","articlePublishedAt":"2022-07-11T00:00:00.000Z"}