Civic and business leaders from around the region and several aviation industry stalwarts comprise a new airport management advisory committee pulled together to provide Denver Mayor Michael Hancock and Denver International (DEN) officials about management, policy and strategic planning issues involving the airport.
The committee was modeled after the Federal Aviation Administration’s Management Advisory Council, to which Hancock was appointed in January.
“Cities today succeed when they are connected and competitive in the global marketplace,” Hancock says. “Denver is a gateway to the world and DIA is essential to our regional economy. This new advisory council will guide us as we navigate the opportunities and challenges of the rapidly changing and ever more competitive aviation industry.”
Confirmed members of the committee are:
City:
Cary Kennedy, Denver’s deputy mayor and chief financial officer
Christopher J. Herndon, Denver City Council president, Representing District 11
Industry:
Dave Barger, CEO, JetBlue Airways
Roger Dow, president and CEO, US Travel Association
Jeff Fegan, former CEO, Dallas/Fort Worth International
Tom Fricke, former CEO, HMSHost Corp.
Angela Gittens, director general, Airports Council International World
Federico Pena, senior advisor, Vestar Capital Partners, and former secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation
Business:
Eula Adams, CEO, Neuromonics
Jack Blumenthal, principal, Causey Dampen & Moore PC
Toti Cadavid, principal, Xcelente Marketing Group
Rus Heise, former managing director, RBC Capital Markets
Chad McWhinney, CEO and co-founder, McWhinney
Guillermo “Bill” Vidal, former Mayor of Denver and executive director of the Colorado Department of Transportation
The committee will meet quarterly and members will serve one-year terms in volunteer capacities while retaining private sector positions.
“This is a great opportunity for us to learn from great minds in various industries to help guide DIA’s future growth,” says Kim Day, CEO at DEN.
