Then & Now

April 10, 2006
Elaine Roberts, A.A.E., currently serves as president and CEO of the Columbus Regional Airport Authority. In April, she is expected to be named chair of the American Association of Airports Executives at the group’s annual meeting.

Elaine Roberts, A.A.E., currently serves as president and CEO of the Columbus Regional Airport Authority. In April, she is expected to be named chair of the American Association of Airports Executives at the group’s annual meeting.

When she first appeared on the cover of AIRPORT BUSINESS in May 1997, she was president of the Rhode Island Airports Corporation, which was in the midst of a revitalization effort.

At Columbus, Roberts is in charge of a three-airport system under the Columbus Regional Airport Authority, formed in January 2003 and comprised of Bolton Field, Rickenbacker International, and Port Columbus International. Under her leadership, Port Columbus rebounded (6.6 million passengers in 2005) following the dehubbing by America West Airlines; Rickenbacker has seen growth as a logistics gateway and with a recent partnership with private investors to build a train-truck intermodal facility and a new industrial park. Bolton field continues to serve general aviation traffic as home to more than 125 based aircraft and more than 90 hangars.