Longtime industry veteran Haley Gentry has been named aviation director for Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT). Gentry has spent more than 30 years in the Charlotte Aviation Department, having started as an intern in 1991. She is the first female director for CLT.
Gentry succeeds Brent Cagle, who was named assistant city manager for the city of Charlotte. Gentry was named acting aviation director in October 2020, when Cagle joined the city of Charlotte’s manager’s office on a special assignment.
Gentry said she is “proud and grateful” for the opportunity. “When I first walked through the doors of the airport as an intern, I knew this was a very special place to work,” Gentry said. “We have a terrific team and wonderful support from our city leadership. Our focus and hard work have grown CLT into what I believe is the best airport in the country.”
“My focus will continue to be growing CLT and continuing the initiatives that we have been working on for many years, including ensuring that the department is an employer of choice, remaining a cost-effective airport for our partners and providing a great experience for travelers,” Gentry added.
City of Charlotte City Manager Marcus D. Jones said Gentry demonstrated her abilities to lead the aviation department over the past seven months when she served as interim director. “Haley has had an exemplary career at the City of Charlotte. I’m excited for her to continue that journey as the new aviation director and proud that she’ll be the first female aviation director in our organization’s history and join a small but growing group of women leading the aviation industry in our country.”
