JAX Selects New Director

The Jacksonville Aviation Authority (JAA) has chosen Steven Grossman as it’s new Executive Director/CEO.  Grossman, who is currently the director of aviation at Oakland International (OAK), will replace John Clark who has since left to head the Indianapolis Airport Authority.
 
The four-and-a-half month search, begun by an executive search firm, elicited interest from over 70 individuals. The search firm presented twelve individuals to a JAA search committee comprised of Aviation Authority Board Members. Of the twelve, a field of eight candidates were chosen for the first round interviews.  The list was then pared down to two candidates–Grossman and Colin Lowndes, senior director of airports for Vancouver Airport Services.  
 
“We had tremendous interest in the executive director position and a number of extremely qualified candidates,” said JAA Chairman Ron Weaver. “But after our due diligence and interviews with the top eight candidates it was the unanimous choice of the search committee that Steve was the best candidate to lead the JAA at this time. He has a proven track record at the airports he’s managed, strong management skills and excellent interpersonal skills.”
    
“I am honored and humbled by this appointment as CEO and Executive Director of the Jacksonville Aviation Authority,” Grossman said.
 
For 16 years, Grossman acted as Director of Aviation for OAK.  Prior to his time there, he served as deputy director of aviation-finance and administration for Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International.  He also served as chairman for Airports Council International-North America in 2006 and holds a B.A. degree in Urban Georgraphy from New York State University at Oswego and a Masters in Urban Planning (with an emphasis in airport planning) from Michigan State University.
 
Grossman will begin his duties September 14, 2009.