ATLANTA — City officials have named the three finalists for the vacant general manager position at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
“I am impressed with all three finalists and expect to soon name the best candidate to lead Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport,” Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed said in a news release.
A city issued news release identified the finalists as:
- John D. Clark III, executive director and CEO of Indianapolis Airport Authority
- Louis Miller, former executive director and CEO of Tampa International Airport
- Lester Robinson, former CEO of the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport and Willow Run Airport
The new general manager will replace Ben DeCosta, who left at the end of June.
“The three finalists are highly experienced and seasoned airport leaders with demonstrable track records of operational excellence and working collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders,” Neil Collins of Heidrick & Struggles, a search firm involved in the process, said in a news release. “Each candidate brings significant leadership to take on the opportunities and challenges of running the world’s busiest airport.”
A nine-member committee — chaired by Home Depot CFO Carol Tomé — worked with Heidrick & Struggles to interview and recommend candidates for the post. The committee worked pro bono.
“At Mayor Reed’s request, our committee embarked upon an exhaustive search and focused on the leadership of the top 20 airports in America,” Tomé said in a news release. “Mayor Reed asked us to deliver a slate of five diverse candidates and we delivered. We were unanimous in our recommendation and are thrilled with his choice of the final three.”
Tomé on Aug. 6 presented Reed with five recommended candidates. Reed and Atlanta COO Peter Aman interviewed the candidates; Reed then narrowed the field to three.
“I am committed to selecting an Aviation General Manager at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport who will be dedicated to maintaining its dominance as the world’s busiest airport,” Reed said in a news release. “My administration is working on several major projects to improve the airport, such as enhancing safety and security measures, growing international cargo operations and completing the construction of the International Terminal.”