Press

ORLANDO, FL. – The search for the next Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) moved forward today. The GOAA Board reviewed the recruited candidates for selection for the next phase of the process. Executive recruitment firm Korn Ferry interviewed approximately 60 applicants for the position and presented their shortlist of highly qualified and vetted candidates to the Board for their consideration:

• Don Fisher-Osceola County Manager
• Lance Lyttle-CEO Seattle-Tacoma Airport
• Mario Rodriguez-CEO Indianapolis Airport
• Kevin Thibault-Fla. Sec. of Transportation
• Mark Thorpe-CEO Ontario Airport (CA)
• Jacqueline Yaft-CEO Austin Airport

Candidates approved by the Board will advance through the recruiting process. The next step will be to proceed with candidate selection efforts. The Aviation Authority has scheduled a Special Board meeting on January 7, 2022 to select finalists for presentations and interviews, if determined necessary. A special meeting for presentations and interviews will be held on January 19, 2022 followed by the Board’s selection of its preferred candidate.

In a related action, the Board approved an Organizational Policy amendment to accommodate the possibility that the new CEO may not be in place at the time of current CEO Phil Brown’s retirement on January 31, 2022. The amended policy provides that the CEO present the Board with up to two individuals who may serve as Acting Chief Executive Officer during the CEO’s absence. The new Acting CEO will be confirmed by the Aviation Authority Board at its next meeting.

Exploring Strategic Opportunities

The University of Central Florida (UCF) presented to the Board an in-depth look at how the Authority can strategically position Orlando International Airport (MCO) for the future. In a  collaborative study that included GOAA, the UCF Research Community, Central Florida economic leaders and the State of Florida, the report identified opportunities for innovation and growth.  Areas of concentration included:

• MCO’s ability to encourage future travel
• Avenues of economic development
• Using existing and emerging technology to improve the airport experience
• Diversifying revenue streams

As keys to the implementation of its suggested strategies, UCF acknowledged GOAA should continue to leverage its strengths: as an economic driver; a commitment to operational excellence and available space for growth.

South Terminal C Opening Date Set

Progress at South Terminal C has reached the 87 percent completion threshold. With construction nearing an end, a preliminary timeline for beginning operations at Terminal C was presented by CEO Phil Brown.

• February 28, 2022 — Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO)
  • City of Orlando issues a TCO when key life safety systems are accepted for critical areas
• May 1, 2022 — Substantial Completion
  • The program is substantially complete when it is ready for its intended use to operate
• May-July 2022 — Operational Readiness
  • Transition from construction to operations: Getting the people familiar with the building/systems and test processes/procedures to ensure a successful opening
• July 2022 — Start of Operations

The information herein is provided as of the dates specified. Due to the outbreak and continuation of COVID-19 subsequent to the date of such information, the information contained herein may differ materially from current operational and financial data.