The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners unanimously approved the nomination of Oakland International (OAK) Director Deborah Ale Flint to take over leadership of Los Angeles World Airports, the department that owns and operates Los Angeles International (LAX), LA/Ontario International (ONT) and Van Nuys (VNY).
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti nominated Ale Flint to the post June 3. After Thursday’s vote, BOAC President Sean Burton said, “Deborah Ale Flint is the absolute right person to build on what has been accomplished by LAWA and to lead this organization to the next level of world-class airports with sustained excellence.
“She is a rising star in the airport sector and has direct and relevant experience that will serve her well at LAWA,” he added.
Ale Flint’s appointment is subject to confirmation by the Los Angeles City Council. Her nomination follows a three-month-long collaborative effort by the mayor, airport commissioners, and airport stakeholders, guided by the professional search firm SpencerStuart. If confirmed by the city council, Ale Flint will succeed Gina Marie Lindsey, who will retire July 1 after a 39-year career – 33 working in the aviation industry, eight at LAWA.
Ale Flint said she is “honored by the opportunity” offered by Garcetti.
“I look forward to working with him, the commissioners, the entire LAWA team and our neighbors to shape the future of air transportation for Los Angeles and the greater region.”
LAX is in the midst of the largest public works program in the history of the city of Los Angeles, an $8.5 billion investment to modernize nearly every terminal. In addition, LAX is constructing a LAX Train that will connect passengers to airline terminals from new facilities including a rent-a-car center, multiple pick-up and drop-off locations, and a planned Metro transit station. Several other airfield and facility projects are underway.
In her current position at OAK, Ale Flint is the primary executive responsible for the operation, management and business development at the airport. She has led significant capital and customer improvements at the airport, giving passengers more choices and amenities and overseeing the new BART rail connection, which has grown ridership by 30 percent. Under her leadership, Oakland International now has the most air service routes in its history.
In addition to her role at Oakland International Airport, Ale Flint represents all domestic airports on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Aviation Consumer Protection Committee and is involved with the Transportation Research Board’s Airport Cooperative Research Program, the Airports Council International and California Airports Council.
Airport Revenue News named Ale Flint as its director of the year for medium airports in November 2013.
