After a nationwide search spanning several months, San Francisco International’s (SFO) search for a new director ended in house.
Ivar Satero will replace John Martin, who has led SFO for the last 20 years, effective July 18.
Satero has worked at SFO for 22 years, most recently as chief operating officer. He’s also been deputy director for design and construction and a program manager tasked with developing, maintaining and operating one of the fastest-growing airports in the world.
“The San Francisco International Airport is our city’s gateway to the world, and I am confident that Ivar Satero’s tremendous achievements and experience will ensure SFO continues to meet the needs of a growing airport that serves 50 million passengers,” says Mayor Edwin Lee.
Satero recently led the development of the airport’s five-year strategic plan. Prior to joining the airport, he worked at the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission as project engineer, where he engineered projects for Muni Railway and Hetch Hetchy Water and Power, as well as at the Department of Public Works as a project engineer.
SFO is in the midst of a $4.4 billion capital program with several projects underway, including the construction of a new air traffic control tower, a new Terminal 1, a new 350-room hotel, and numerous cargo and service-related buildings. Satero, according to a statement issued by the mayor’s office, will focus on the design for Terminal 1, the new hotel and several improvements to Terminal 3 and SFO’s International Terminal.
Martin was appointed airport director in 1995 and announced his plans to retire in December 2015. During his tenure, SFO has added 25 new international carriers and several low-cost airlines, including Virgin America, which is based at SFO. The airport also constructed the International Terminal, a BART extension to the airport, new parking garages and the Air Train people mover system under Martin’s leadership.
