Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL) will be under the management of Louis Miller, former executive director and CEO of Tampa International (TPA), as the airport seeks to boost its cargo capacity and complete a massive International Terminal construction project. Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed announced the appointment Sept. 13 after weeks of negotiations and interviews with three finalists for the aviation general manager position.
Miller replaces longtime Aviation General Manager Ben DeCosta, who retired in July. Interim General Manager Robert Kennedy has been leading the airport since then.
Reed says a key focus for Miller will be to grow ATL’s international cargo operations and to complete the construction of the International Terminal. He says he is “confident that the airport’s safety, security and amenities for passengers will improve dramatically.”
Miller praised the “transparent process” involved in the executive search, noting that Reed had involved the business and civic community in the process.
“My goal as the aviation general manager of the world’s busiest passenger airport is to exceed Mayor Reed’s expectations and those of the community at large,” Miller says.
Miller has more than 30 years’ experience in the airport industry, most recently at TPA, where he led the airport from 1996 to April 2010. During his tenure at TPA, Miller oversaw $1.1B in capital improvements, recruited competitive airline services to achieve below average domestic airfares and doubled passengers to more than 19 million a year, although passenger numbers dropped to 17.2 million in 2009. Prior to TPA, Miller was executive director for Salt Lake City International (SLC).
Miller beat out Lester Robinson, former CEO of Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW). The third finalist, John D. Clark III, executive director of !Indianapolis International Airport (IND), confirmed that he had taken himself out of the running for the ATL position after extensive interviews. He says his family “had a big impact” in the decision, but he also notes that his work at IND has only just begun.
“I’ve started some new exciting things here and I’d really like to accomplish those things,” he says, noting the airport’s five-year plan that is just one year under way.
“It was extremely tempting to be considered for the job at the busiest airport in the world, but I’ve never been one to walk out on my commitments, and I’ve made a heavy commitment to move this airport to a better place,” Clark says.
Robinson has been listed as a finalist for the executive director role at TPA. Other finalists are Kevin Dillon, president and CEO, Rhode Island Airport Corp.; Kent George, director of aviation, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL); and Joseph Lopano, executive vice president, Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW).
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