James Gill (left) has been hired as the new president and CEO of Gerald R Ford International Airport (GFIA) in Michigan. Gill joins the airport from Allegheny County Airport Authority in Pittsburgh.
Roger Morgan, board chairman of GFIA, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Jim to West Michigan, and we know he will thrive as the next CEO of Gerald R Ford International Airport. Jim has a track record of strong leadership, community partnerships, and he is well known and well respected among his peers in the aviation industry. Jim will continue to spark our growth as we invest in customer service, technology and construction projects, and serve as a catalyst for West Michigan’s economic progress.”
Gill is an industry veteran with more than two decades of senior airport management experience. With deep roots in the Pittsburgh area, he has served 13 years of that time at the Allegheny County Airport Authority, whose two airports serve more than eight million passengers annually. Gill also spent six years at Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority as deputy airport director and chief financial officer.
“I am delighted to be joining the talented team at GFIA and I look forward to moving forward together,” said Gill. “An airport is so often the first and last impression that travelers have of the community and region, and so one must be committed to delivering outstanding operational performance while exceeding customer service expectations. I know we will continue to have an outstanding record of success in West Michigan, and I am excited to help lead the airport into a new, expansive era while working closely with the authority board, airport management, staff, and our community and business partners.”
Among the airport’s future plans is a Gateway Transformation Project, with the first phase to be completed in summer 2017. Additionally, the Airport Viewing Park is set to open in spring 2017.