Pictured left to right: LAWA CEO Justin Erbacci, Commissioner Victor Narro, Commissioner Courtney La Bau, Vice President Matthew M. Johnson, President Karim Webb, Commissioner Valeria Velasco, Commissioner Nicholas P. Roxborough and Deputy Mayor for Economic and Business Development Rachel Freeman. (not pictured, Commissioner Vanessa Aramayo)

(Los Angeles) Today, the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners (BOAC) unanimously elected Commissioner Karim Webb to the position of President and Commissioner Matthew M. Johnson to the position as Vice President.

Webb replaces Beatrice Hsu, who served as President since 2021, and whose last meeting was in June. Johnson replaces Valeria Velasco who will remain on the board and continue as the longest serving commissioner with 18 years of experience. During today’s meeting, Commissioners Velasco and Nicolas P. Roxborough put forth the motions to nominate Commissioners Webb and Johnson to their new positions, and the board voted unanimously in favor of the motions.

“I am confident that Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) will continue to innovate and grow its impact in the region under the leadership of President Karim Webb and Vice President Matt M. Johnson," said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. "Over the past decade, I have known Commissioner Webb to be an exemplary Angeleno who emphasizes equity, cares about workers’ wellbeing and has shown leadership on a range of community issues. Commissioner Johnson will also be an important voice in the Commission’s leadership, as an accomplished lawyer in Los Angeles who has already served the people of L.A. as an Airport Commissioner and Police Department Commissioner, and will be able to use his skills and experiences for the good of LAWA and all who pass through LAX. Their combined experience and commitment to all Angelenos will inform the Commission's work to oversee $30 billion dollars in ongoing capital improvement programs to build a world-class airport that our City deserves and all Angelenos can be proud of.”

“In the last administration, a long overdue plan was developed and is well on its way to being fully realized to make LAX one of the best airports in the world. In implementing this vision, the best interest of all must be centered in every decision we make so we can ensure our airports are reflective of - and benefit - Angelenos fairly,” said Karim Webb, President, Board of Airport Commissioners. “I’m excited to be among the incredibly talented people Mayor Bass has empowered to ensure her vision comes to fruition at Los Angeles World Airports. Commissioners Narro, La Bau, Roxborough, Velasco, Aramayo and Johnson are seasoned leaders who all have demonstrated their commitment to not only their own interest - but the interest of others – and they’ve done so effectively at the top of their respective fields. I am honored to serve as an enabler for their talent as we work with the exceptional LAWA team to deliver for our guests and all the people of Los Angeles.”

"The capital improvement program underway at LAX is setting the standard for what it means to be a world-class airport, and I am honored to serve as Vice President during this era of innovation and transformation," said Matthew M. Johnson, Vice President, Board of Airport Commissioners. "I am proud of the work we have achieved, and I look forward to serving alongside President Webb and my fellow commissioners to realize the vision of Mayor Bass to create airports reflective of our incredible City."

“I congratulate President Webb and Vice President Johnson on their new leadership roles with the Board and I look forward to working together to modernize our airports while supporting our local communities,” said Justin Erbacci, Chief Executive Officer, LAWA. "Our Board is a shining example in our industry of what excellent leadership, dedication and support can achieve. I would also like to welcome to the Board our newest Commissioners Courtney La Bau and Victor Narro."

Thursday's meeting was the first meeting for Commissioner Courtney La Bau and Commissioner Victor Narro who were appointed by Mayor Karen Bass in June.

President Webb was appointed to BOAC in June 2019 by former Mayor Eric Garcetti. Webb is an Entrepreneurial Activist. He is a Principal at Webb Investments, an investment company aligning instruments of economic opportunity with and for people residing where opportunity exists. He is also a co-founder of Positive Cash Flow (PCF) Restaurant Management, a franchisee of Buffalo Wild Wings. PCF has four restaurants in the Los Angeles area, with four additional units in development. Webb is also Venture Partner in Slauson & Co., an early-stage venture capital firm investing in the tools, platforms, and people aiding in small businesses' development, democratizing access to business ownership. Webb serves on the boards of California Community Foundation, Everytable, African-American Board Leadership Institute, the Living Through Giving Foundation: Hashtag Lunchbag, Digital Restaurant Association and the Brotherhood Crusade as a Corporate Advisor.

Vice President Johnson was appointed to BOAC in June 2020. He is a founding partner of Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole LLP. For more than 25 years, he has represented the world’s most recognized talent and luminaries across film, television, sports, music, and politics, as well as many award-winning film and television producers, directors, writers, and content creators. He was at the forefront of negotiating deals that have paved the way for talent to maintain creative license and control over their intellectual property. Outside of his law practice, Commissioner Johnson is a leader in the civic arena, active in politics, and a committed philanthropist. He currently serves as a Board Member of the International Rescue Committee, LA 2028 Olympic Games, and NYU School of Law. He is also a member of the Advisory Board of the Policing Project at NYU.

A seven-member Board of Airport Commissioners (BOAC) governs Los Angeles World Airports. By the Charter of the City of Los Angeles, the Board is responsible for the formulation of airport policy. The Board is comprised of public-spirited business and civic leaders who are appointed by the Mayor, approved by the City Council and serve staggered five-year terms.

The current members of the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners are Karim Webb, Matthew M. Johnson, Vanessa Aramayo, Courtney La Bau, Victor Narro, Nicholas P. Roxborough, and Valeria C. Velasco.

Board of Airport Commissioners President Karim Webb and Board of Airport Commissioners Vice President Matthew M. Johnson