Salt Lake City airport director keeps her job, Biskupski decides

Salt Lake City airport director keeps her job, Biskupski decides

(Laura Seitz/Deseret News)


Save Story
Leer en español

Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski announced Tuesday that a fourth city department director will be keeping her job: Maureen Riley, executive director of the Department of Airports.

"We are at a critical time for Salt Lake City International Airport," said Biskupski in a prepared statement, noting that the airport is currently in the middle of its $1.8 billion terminal redevelopment project.

The project began in 2014 and is slated for completion in eight to 10 years.

"(Riley) has proven herself adept at handling the intricacies of managing one of the nation's largest airports," Biskupski added. "Salt Lake City is lucky to have a recognized leader at the helm of our Department of Airports, which generates over $1 billion in economic activity for the state, and has the potential to be an even bigger asset in the future."

Riley held her position for nine years, since former Mayor Rocky Anderson first appointed her in 2007. Prior to serving Salt Lake City, Riley spent 13 years at the Orlando International Airport in a variety of roles, including deputy director of finance and administration.

Riley also currently serves as chairwoman of the North America chapter of the Board of Directors of Airports Council International.

In December, she was awarded Director of the Year by Airport Revenue News, which recognized her ability to spearhead the agreements needed to advance the Salt Lake City airport redevelopment project.

Related

"I'm excited to continue in my role with the Department of Airports; to complete the Salt Lake City International Terminal Redevelopment Program, and to integrate all three airports into the mayor's economic development plans," Riley said in a prepared statement. "We have real opportunity over the next few years to build our airports into stronger economic engines of the city and the region, and I am looking forward to working with the mayor's office and the people of Utah to make that a reality."

Other department heads

Riley joins three other department directors Biskupski has chosen to retain: City Attorney Margaret Plane, Justice Court Director Curtis Preece and Finance Director Gina Chamness.

Six others have so far left their positions since Biskupski took office. Two more leadership positions are still under consideration: the emergency management program director and the 911 dispatch bureau director.

The mayor's first new director nominee, Julio Garcia, was also officially made the new human resources director Tuesday after the City Council unanimously voted to consent to his appointment in place of Debra Alexander.

Before coming to Salt Lake City, Garcia worked for Salt Lake County as director of elections and associate director of human resources.

Most recent Utah stories

Related topics

Utah
Katie McKellar

    STAY IN THE KNOW

    Get informative articles and interesting stories delivered to your inbox weekly. Subscribe to the KSL.com Trending 5.
    By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

    KSL Weather Forecast