Mayor Villaraigosa Names Innovative Industry Leader to Take Helm of Los Angeles World Airports

As part of his ongoing efforts to modernize and improve area airports, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa joined El Segundo Mayor Kelly McDowell and City Councilmembers Bill Rosendahl and Janice Hahn to announce the appointment of Gina Marie Lindsey as the new executive director of Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA).

“In searching for a new executive director, we knew we needed someone with experience, with an ability to build bridges and with a vision for moving the area’s airports forward,” Mayor Villaraigosa said. “And we found the perfect candidate in Gina Marie Lindsey.”

Lindsey has a proven track record of improving and modernizing international airports across the United States. She brings 16 years of experience in airport management and a record of success in renovating and expanding international airports. She will be tasked with continuing Mayor Villaraigosa’s modernization and regionalization efforts, as well as developing new initiatives to update airport services.

Lindsey is the former managing director of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac). Over the course of her tenure in Seattle, she conceived and implemented a $4.1-billion effort that included the construction of a new runway, the remodeling of the airport concourse and the expansion of the central terminal. These projects were designed to allow Sea-Tac to handle 35 million passengers each year, more than 10 million travelers beyond its previous capacity. In addition, Lindsey transformed Anchorage International Airport from a traditional refueling stop into a hub for international cargo and trade during her time as director of aviation. Mayor Villaraigosa has made modernizing Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), regionalizing the area’s airport service and improving public safety at the airports centerpieces of his transportation agenda. Since taking office, Mayor Villaraigosa has spent over $1 billion at LAX to renovate Tom Bradley International Terminal, ensure preparedness for New Large Aircraft (such as the Airbus A380, Boeing 787 and Boeing 747-8), and reconfigured LAX’s south runway complex.

In light of projections indicating that air traffic into Los Angeles will double by 2030, the Mayor announced that ExpressJet and United Airlines would add flights and divert some routes to LA/Ontario International (ONT) and LA/Palmdale Regional (PMD) airports in an effort to ease overcrowding at LAX. Mayor Villaraigosa also took action to enhance the safety of the south airfield at LAX and improve passenger security with implementation of the in-line baggage screening system.

Gina Marie Lindsey — Biography

Gina Marie Lindsey has 16 years experience in international airport management. Prior to accepting the executive director position with LAWA, Lindsey worked as executive vice-president at McBee Strategic Consulting, LLC, where she was responsible for establishing and expanding an aviation lobbying and consulting practice for the Washington, D.C.-based lobbying firm.

Lindsey previously served as aviation director for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and the Port of Seattle. In that capacity, she oversaw an annual budget of nearly $120 million and a seven-year capital program of $3 billion. Lindsey also worked as director and development manager for the Alaska International Airport System; statewide aviation manager and assistant to the Central Region Planning Director at the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities; and Anchorage International Airport planner.

In addition to Lindsey’s professional background, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation recently appointed Lindsey to the Airport Cooperative Research Board and the Executive Council of the Next Generation Air Transportation System. Lindsey previously served as chairman and World Governing Board Member of Airports Council International (ACI), and sat on the board of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE).

 CONTACT: Office of the Mayor Parita Shah (213) 978-0741  

SOURCE: Los Angeles World Airports