Harry Barrett has been named the new executive director of Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) the city of Palm Springs announced this week.
Barrett had been serving as PSP interim executive director since December 2021, when former executive director Ulises Aguirre retired.
Barrett was first hired as PSP deputy director of operations and maintenance in April of 2020. Prior to Palm Springs, Barrett served for five years as the City of Renton, Washington’s airport manager and before that was landside supervisor at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) where he assisted in the integration of rideshare services into airport operations.
In his new role, Barrett will oversee a $27 million operating budget, covering all aspects of financial and capital programs. He recently helped land three new airlines at the airport and is in the process of negotiating airline use agreements between 13 airlines.
Since his arrival in Palm Springs, Barrett has overseen an $11 million terminal passenger loading bridge replacement project, coordinated phase and move logistics between 11 airlines during PSP’s $36 million ticket lobby and TSA expansion project, and designed COVID-19 response protocol and passenger protections measures.
“Harry Barrett’s knowledge and expertise about the operations and projects ongoing at Palm Springs International Airport make him the right choice to serve as our next executive director,” said Justin Clifton, Palm Springs city manager. “I am thankful we have an experienced airport executive whose proven management skills have kept PSP on an excellent course.”
