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ATLANTA— Mayor Andre Dickens has appointed Ricky Smith as the new General Manager of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, effective April 2.
Smith brings extensive experience in aviation leadership, having
most recently served as Executive Director and CEO of Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA). In his role, he oversaw the management and operations of Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Martin State Airport, and regional aviation initiatives throughout the State of Maryland.
As part of the leadership transition, current Interim Airport General Manager Jan Lennon will be promoted to a new role as Executive Deputy General Manager within the airport. In this role she will work directly with the General Manager to lead all aspects of the Airport to include but not limited to operations, finance, strategic planning, and infrastructure. She has more than 25 years of experience, with a deep background in airport security management. She previously served as Deputy of Operations before serving as Interim General Manager. She has more than 25 years of experience, with a deep background in airport security management.
“Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport needs dynamic leadership to drive the continued growth we’ve seen over the past years and Mr. Smith’s extensive experience will help us reach more milestones in the years to come,” said Mayor Andre Dickens. “I want to thank Jan Lennon for her dedication and leadership while we conducted our search, and we look forward to continuing to work with her in the capacity of Executive Deputy General Manager.”
Smith expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity to lead one of the world’s busiest and most efficient airports.
“I am both honored and excited to serve the Atlanta public as the new Airport General Manager for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport – the busiest and most efficient in the world,” said Smith. “Mayor Andre Dickens’ confidence in me to lead the City’s and State’s most impactful economic driver is met with deep appreciation. I am looking forward to working with the very talented and dedicated professionals at the airport and the entire City of Atlanta.”
Smith has more than 30 years of aviation management experience working in Baltimore and Cleveland. Since returning to BWI Marshall in 2015, Smith led the airport to five consecutive record-setting years for passengers, including restoring BWI Marshall as the busiest airport in the Washington/Baltimore region and the Best Airport in North America for Customer Service according to Airport Council International.
Smith established a culture of performance, customer service, safety, and innovation, leading the airports to receive several other national and regional awards for customer service, capital development, and marketing including Emmy Awards in 2018 and 2019. In 2017, the LaunchPad program was started to enable minority-owned micro-businesses the opportunity to participate in BWI Marshall’s thriving food and retail program without barriers to entry. In 2015, he launched the BWI Marshall Youth Initiative aimed at introducing youth in Baltimore City to careers in aviation and transportation. To date, over 100 youths have participated in this program.
He has been recognized as the ‘Best State Executive for Minority Business Enterprise’ by the Maryland Washington Minority Companies Association (2022), ‘Leon C. Watkins Guardian Award’ recipient by Airports Council International/North America (2020), ‘Man of the Year’ by Women Transportation Seminar (2019), ‘Leadership in Excellence’ by Leadership Anne Arundel (2019), ‘Power 10 CEO’ by the Baltimore Business Journal (2018), ‘People Who Move America’ by the Boys Scouts of America (2018), ‘Thomas G. Newsome Founder’s Leadership Award’ by the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (2018), ‘Influential Marylander’ by The Daily Record (2017), the Maryland Washington Minority Companies Association ‘Black History Hero’ award (2017), ‘Most Influential CEO in Northeast Ohio’ by Crain’s Magazine (2014, 2013), ‘National Executive of the Year’ by the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (2010), and ‘Congressional Achievement Award’ from Congressman Elijah Cummings (2006).
As part of the leadership transition, current Interim Airport General Manager Jan Lennon will be promoted to a new role as Executive Deputy General Manager within the airport. She will work directly with the General Manager to lead all aspects of the Airport to include but not limited to operations, finance, strategic planning, and infrastructure. Lennon has more than 25 years of experience, with an extensive background in airport security management. She previously served as Deputy of Operations before serving as Interim General Manager.