Who’s on the move this week: July 7, 2014

Prince George Airport Authority president and CEO John Gibson is the new chair of the Canadian Airports Council board. He succeeds Edmonton Airports president and CEO Tom Ruth. Gibson has served as president and CEO of the PGAA since July 1st, 2009. An aviation industry veteran of over 40 years, he was vice president of marketing at the John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport for eight years prior to joining the PGAA. Gibson previously held senior positions in air cargo with Canadian Airlines International.

The CAC also announced Greater Toronto Airports Authority president and CEO Howard Eng has been elected as its new vice-chair. Eng has over 25 years of experience in the airport industry involving project development, planning, retail and operations. Prior to joining the GTAA, Eng served as the executive director of Airport Operations for the Airport Authority Hong Kong. Additionally, Vancouver Airport Authority president and CEO Craig Richmond was named chair of the Large Airports Caucus, a policy committee that focuses on the unique needs of Canada’s large airports. In this position, Richmond joins the CAC’s executive committee. Halifax Stanfield International Airport Authority president and CEO Joyce Carter and Deer Lake Regional Airport president and CEO Jamie Schwartz join as directors.

Rod Diridon, Sr, executive director of the Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI) since its 1993 founding at San Jose State University (SJSU), announced his retirement at the Institute’s June 21, 2014 annual awards banquet. The Institute’s Board of Trustees promoted deputy executive director Karen Philbrick, PhD, into the executive director’s position. Philbrick joined MTI as research director five years ago and has served as deputy executive director for the past two years. She advises the US Secretary of Transportation as a member of the US Department of Transportation’s Transit Rail Advisory Committee for Safety, and she serves on the Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation Commission. Diridon will continue to work part time supporting the new executive director.