The Jacksonville Aviation Authority’s four-member CEO Selection Committee voted to recommend the full board hire Mark VanLoh as its new CEO.
VanLoh is currently the CEO of the Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust Board, which operates Tulsa International Airport (TUL) and R.L. Jones Jr. Airport (RVS). He has announced his resignation at Tulsa and his candidacy at the JAA will be voted on at the board’s next meeting on November 26.
If approved, he will succeed Steve Grossman, who retired earlier this year after nine years at the helm.
“Mark will bring extensive experience, proven results and passion to the aviation authority,” says Patrick Kilbane, who chaired the committee. “We look forward to working with him.”
VanLoh became CEO at Tulsa Airports in February 2017. He led several initiatives there that resulted in increased airport revenue and airline service, along with several facility improvements, including a concessions overhaul. He also oversaw the facilitation of an agreement with transportation network companies Uber and Lyft and the implementation of a commercial vehicle ground transportation policy that ensured all commercial operators are permitted access to airport facilities.
“Mark has been a tremendous resource for our airports and our city during his time in Tulsa,” says Jeff Stava, chair of the Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust. “His leadership has created a streamlined organization with an improved financial footing that is prepared to service the Tulsa region for years to come.”
Prior to joining Tulsa, VanLoh was the director of the Kansas City Aviation Department for a dozen years. He’ll remain in the current role until the end of November. The Trust has begun a search to identify his successor.
The JAA worked with ADK Consulting & Executive Search, which received 73 applications for the position and then narrowed it to four candidates who were interviewed by the committee members. The authority oversees Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), Cecil Field Airport (VQQ), Jacksonville Executive at Craig Airport (CRG) and Herlong Recreational Airport, which does not have an IATA code.
