BIRMINGHAM, Ala.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Birmingham Airport Authority (BAA) today announced that its board of directors has appointed Ronald F. Mathieu as the new chief executive officer of Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport. Mathieu will oversee all operations and be responsible for leading the airport’s continued growth.
“Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport plays a key role as a vital economic engine for our region,” said Bobbie Knight, chairman of the Birmingham Airport Authority board of directors. “With Ron at the helm, we will continue to build our strong airline and retail partnerships while improving the passenger experience. His extensive knowledge in airport operations and development will serve the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth airport well as we continue to see growing passenger traffic.”
Mathieu most recently served as executive director of the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he was responsible for overall administration, operations, maintenance and development. He strengthened the airport’s financing, making it debt free during the airport’s largest construction project.
“I look forward to joining the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport and working closely with the board and staff team members,” said Mathieu. “The airport is a critical economic generator for the city of Birmingham and great state of Alabama. We look forward to working to ensure that the airport continues to make a reliable, sustainable and growing economic impact, while also ensuring our customers have a positive travel experience.”
Mathieu also has held leadership positions at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport and Newark International, LaGuardia and JFK International Airports - operated by the New York Port Authority.
“Ron brings a wealth of knowledge to this role,” said Chris Johnson, BAA board member and chairman of the selection committee. “He rose to the top of our candidate list with his strong financial, operations and administrative work for other national and regional airports.”
Mathieu earned a Bachelor of Science in aviation management from the Florida Institute of Technology. He is a certified member of the American Association of Airport Executives. A private pilot, he is also a board member of the International Association of Airport Executives.
He will officially begin June 17, 2019.
About Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport
Established in 1931, The Birmingham Airport has been welcoming travelers to The Magic City and serving as Central Alabama’s gateway to the sky for more than 80 years. Governed by the Birmingham Airport Authority since its establishment in 1986, the airport has evolved into a catalyst for growth and economic development for the entire Birmingham region. BHM is now home to six airlines, servicing over 100 daily flights. In 2018, BHM served more than 2.9 million passengers. Visit flybirmingham.com to begin your journey at the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport.
