The Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) in Grand Rapids, Michigan has selected Steven Baldwin Associates to conduct a national search for its new CEO. Currently, Phillip Johnson is serving as Acting President and CEO to fill the vacancy that was created when Brian Ryks, the previous chief executive, was tapped to become CEO of the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in May of this year.
This is an exciting time to be at GRR which has seen record-setting growth in the past few years, and award-winning accolades from the industry (see details below). Moreover, the airport recently received FAA approval for a new governance structure under a regional Airport Authority, which positions it for more growth, including increased opportunities for economic development. (See additional information here.)
At this key juncture in the airport's history, GRR is looking for a strong and capable leader to usher the airport into a new era that builds upon its recent successes:
- Record setting passenger numbers
- In 2015, GRR set an all-time passenger record of more than 2.5 million passengers, an increase of 2.5 percent from the previous year
- In 2016, GRR reached the one million passenger mark by May, the earliest in the year it has ever achieved that milestone
- Industry awards in environmental achievement and service quality
- The ACI-NA named GRR as the Top North American airport (in the 2-5 million passenger category) in its Service Quality Award program, and in 2016 awarded GRR an Environmental Achievement Award
- The strongest growth, over the last three years, since the airport's founding
The new CEO will be working with a talented and experienced management staff and, over the first year, will work in conjunction with the new Airport Authority's Board to fully implement the airport's operations under the new governance structure.
The search team will be led by SBA's President and CEO, Steve Baldwin, and will start immediately. The search will be conducted confidentially and additional information will be forthcoming soon.
