The Metropolitan Airports Commission’s board has offered Brian Ryks, currently executive director and CEO at Gerald R. Ford International (GRR), the job of CEO and executive director at Minneapolis-St. Paul International (MSP), replacing Jeff Hamiel.
Ryks was selected by MAC’s executive committee from three finalists. The full 15-member board voted on March 21. Hamiel intends to retire in May.
Ryks is a Lakeville, Minn. native. He began his career with the MAC as a noise and operations technician in 1986. He left for positions in Denver and Aberdeen, S.D. before returning to Minnesota. He was executive director of the Duluth Airport Authority in northern Minnesota from 2002 to 2012 before taking the position at GRR in 2012.
“Brian Ryks is a 30-year veteran of the airport industry and has demonstrated a strong commitment to innovative, inclusive management, industry-leading customer service and responsible environmental stewardship,” says Dan Boivin, chairman of MAC. “Brian is from Minnesota, began his career at the Metropolitan Airports Commission, and brings considerable skills and experience gained leading four other airports in the Upper Midwest. I look forward to welcoming him back to the Metropolitan Airports Commission.”
The committee also considered Tammy Lee Stanoch, who has led corporate affairs for several organizations, including Carlson Companies, Northwest Airlines, La Macchia Enterprises and US Airways; and Dennis Probst, currently the MAC’s executive vice president and COO.
Patrick Heck, formerly CFO at Denver International (DEN) and now a vice president with Manchester Airport Group U.S., had also been named a finalist, but he withdrew from consideration before the committee began its face-to-face meetings.
Executive search firm Spencer Stuart had conducted a national search for candidates for the position. A MAC-convened panel had vetted them.
