Garth Atkinson, president and CEO of the Calgary Airport Authority, will retire at the end of the year, the authority announced. He has been in the airport industry for 40 years.
The Board of Directors will start a global search process for a replacement, considering both internal and external candidates, the airport authority said.
“The Board of Directors greatly appreciates Garth’s leadership role over the past 24 years in the commercial growth and development of both Calgary International Airport and Springbank Airport,” says Mel Belich, board chair. “The authority is a seven-time Top Employer award recipient, and Garth’s legacy includes a strong organization with exceptional staff who will continue to chart our path forward as an airport and economic generator for our city, province and region.”
Atkinson started in the industry in 1976 with Transport Canada and arrived in Calgary in 1981. He was heavily involved in the airport transfer process during the 1980s and establishing the Calgary Airport Authority as an operating company. After holding the titles of vice president of finance, chief financial officer, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Garth became president and CEO in 2001.
“I was lucky to land in Calgary 35 years ago, and it’s been a great privilege to participate in such a dynamic local environment and be part of the establishment of Canada’s local airport authority industry,” says Atkinson. “I’ve worked with a lot of great people over the years, and among other things, we’ve had a lot of fun along the way as we built YYC into what it is today.”
Atkinson will stay on to lead the airport authority through the end of 2016 and the opening of YYC’s new International Terminal in the fall.
