Shea Joachim has served as the director of business development for the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Authority for the past four years. His role at Gateway Airport includes managing all the real estate assets of the airport, including the development of more than 1,000 acres of surrounding aeronautical and non-aeronautical land.
“In my current role I enjoy organizing and motivating a team of professionals focused on driving financial results for the airport,” he said. “I’m fortunate to work with a group of individuals who are self-motivated and thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment."
Joachim was instrumental in the development and announcement of SkyBridge Arizona. SkyBridge brought the nation’s first and only joint air cargo inspection facility to house both U.S. and Mexican customs agents to facilitate trade between the U.S. and Mexico.
SkyBridge Arizona is set to become a driving force in the Greater Phoenix metropolitan area economy, contributing a projected total of $3.8 billion to the gross regional product while adding 6,400 direct jobs and 8,400 indirect jobs.
He has also attracted several other aerospace-related companies in his short tenure, including a 50,000 square-foot hanger that will be home to a Belgian-based company, Aerocircular; a 65,000 square-foot corporate headquarters/hangar for Aviation Performance Solutions; and a 187,000 square-foot speculative hangar at the north end of the Airport in Gateway Executive Park.
Joachim has demonstrated an astonishing ability to retain business as Gateway Airport has leased 100 percent of its available real estate for the first time in its history.
“My current duties are primarily focused on leveraging airport assets to drive financial results,” Joachim said. “What is unique, and very interesting, about the aviation industry is the level competition combined with the amount of regulation. I enjoy the challenge of finding new and innovative ways to create opportunity for the airport while maintaining compliance and mitigating downside risk.”
