Maureen Riley, executive director of the Salt Lake City Department of Airports, has announced that she will retire June 30.
She has been the director of Salt Lake City International (SLC) since being appointed by then-Mayor Rocky Anderson in February 2007.
Riley’s background in finance and construction have been put to use as the city developed and designed plans for a $2.9 billion Terminal Redevelopment Program that will replace aging passenger terminals, concourses and related facilities.
The $1.8 billion first phase of the project, which includes a new terminal, is slated for completion in late 2020. She has been credited by industry officials with being able to help gain the airline approvals necessary to move forward with the redevelopment plans.
“Maureen has been an incredible director of our airport during a historic era of passenger growth and has been a steward of the facility’s largest-ever construction project,” says Mayor Jackie Biskupski, who reappointed Riley to the director position in early 2016 after taking office. “She is highly respected among her peers in the world’s airport industry for her financial skills and management talents, and she will be missed.”
Riley has worked in the airport industry for more than 30 years. In the 1990s she worked as a consultant, learning about the inner workings of numerous airports across the country. She followed with a stint at Orlando International (MCO), where she was deputy executive director. She chaired Airports Council International – North America in 2016 and served on the ACI World Board of Directors from 2012 through 2016.
In 2015 she was named ARN’s Director of the Year in the large airports category for her contributions to the industry and for her work improving the airport. She leaves SLC satisfied that it’s headed in a good direction.
“It’s very gratifying to know that the Salt Lake City International Airport is now positioned to meet passenger growth well into the future,” she says. “I’ve enjoyed a great relationship with our tenants, customers, other stakeholders and, also, dedicated airport employees who work hard every day to make SLC the best.”
