BOARD OF AIRPORT COMMISSIONERS APPROVES NOMINATION OF DEBORAH ALE FLINT AS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF LOS ANGELES WORLD AIRPORTS

              The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners (BOAC) today unanimously approved the nomination of Oakland International Airport Director Deborah Ale Flint as the next executive director of Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), the City department that owns and operates Los Angeles International, LA/Ontario International, and Van Nuys airports. 

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti nominated Ale Flint to the post on June 3. After today’s vote in a closed session of the airport commission, BOAC President Sean Burton said, “Deborah Ale Flint is the absolute right person to build on what has been accomplished by LAWA and to lead this organization to the next level of world-class airports with sustained excellence.”  He added, “She is a rising star in the airport sector and has direct and relevant experience that will serve her well at LAWA.”

            As the Port of Oakland’s aviation director since 2010, Ale Flint is the primary executive responsible for the operation, management and business development of Oakland International Airport (OAK).  She delivered the $480-milliion BART Airport Rail project after years of effort and challenges; executed strategies to stabilize and reverse passenger traffic decline in a difficult market environment; redesigned OAK’s customer experience to make the airport more competitive; and marketed, developed and negotiated numerous development and investment transactions in terminal renovation and hangar development.

            Prior to her current role, Ale Flint was the assistant aviation director and led the operation of the airport.  Other experiences include leading OAK's Capital Program in which she coordinated the design, financing and implementation of major airport projects, as well as participated in the issuance of hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue bonds.  She also served as acting port executive director of the Port of Oakland (maritime).  She began her career with the port in 1992 in port finance and advanced through the port’s Finance and Aviation divisions.      

Ale Flint holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from San Jose State University, and attended the Executive Leadership Institute’s Continuing Education in Public Administration program.  She was appointed in 2012 to the President’s Advisory Committee on Consumer Protection (aviation).  She also currently serves on the Transportation Research Board's Airport Cooperative Research Program, the California Airports Council, and is a regional advisor to the Airports Council International World Board.

Ale Flint’s appointment is subject to confirmation by the Los Angeles City Council.  Her nomination follows a three-month-long collaborative effort by the mayor, airport commissioners, and airport stakeholders, guided by the professional search firm SpencerStuart.  If confirmed by the City Council, Ale Flint will succeed Gina Marie Lindsey, who will retire July 1 after a 39-year career, 33 working in the aviation industry, eight years at LAWA.