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City Mgr. Chooses Shreveport, Louisiana Regional Airport Director Bryant Francis As New Director Of LGB


(Nov. 20, 2014, updated 3:50 p.m.) -- City Manager Pat West today (Nov. 20) announced that he has chosen Bryant Francis, Dir of the Shreveport, Louisiana Airport Authority since 2012, as Long Beach Airport's new Director, effective Jan. 5, 2015.

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[City of LB release text] City Manager Pat West today named Bryant L. Francis, C.M., an aviation expert with over 18 years of industry experience, as Director of Long Beach Airport (LGB). Mr. Francis’ appointment will be effective January 5, 2015.


City of LB released photo

"Mr. Francis is a dedicated, accomplished professional who will provide strong leadership and strategic planning for Long Beach Airport," Mr. West said. "He will reach out and work collaboratively with all stakeholders, including the community, tenants and our commercial and general aviation partners."

Mr. Francis has served as Director of Airports for the Shreveport Airport Authority in Louisiana since 2012. Previously he was Deputy Director, Properties & Business Development of the Boise Airport in Idaho; Director, Aviation Real Estate for the Wayne County Airport Authority in Detroit, Michigan; Deputy Director of Aviation -- Marketing, Communications and Air Service Development for Palm Springs International Airport in California; and Airport Operations Representative for Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia.

"I am passionate about aviation, am committed to fostering positive relationships, and will ensure that Long Beach Airport provides the absolute best service possible to its travelers and to all our business and community partners," commented Mr. Francis.

Mr. Francis’ responsibilities will include oversight of all airport operations, finances and leases, the Airport Noise Ordinance, community outreach, environmental matters and capital improvements.

LGB has won numerous awards, and the Long Beach Airport Area Complex is a major economic development resource, supporting 43,000 jobs and generating more than $11 billion into the regional economy.

Mr. Francis holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, and is a Certified Member (C.M.) of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE). He is currently a member of the Airports Council International -- North America (ACI-NA) Board of Directors as well as Chair of the AAAE Diversity Committee...

Mr. Francis replaces LB Airport Director Mario Rodriguez (who was formerly Deputy Dir of New Orleans Airport) and exited Long Beach in May 2014 to accept a position as Executive Director of the Indianapolis Airport Authority.

The City Manager's Airport hiring decision, which doesn't require Council voted approval, comes after a brochure invited applications for the job opening, stating in part:

"Several of the new director’s focal points will be to build trust and rapport with the general aviation community while maintaining the commercial airline relations; support and build the airport staff; become an expert in and strong advocate of the airport noise ordinance; continue capital improvement efforts for a new rental car facility and various airfield pavement projects; and influence discussion and garner community support for a federal customs facility."

UPDATE: LBREPORT.com received today (Nov. 20) the statement (below) from the City Manager's office (dated Oct. 28) regarding the brochure text above:

[Dated Oct. 28] ADDENDUM TO AIRPORT DIRECTOR POSITION BROCHURE

The brochure published for the Long Beach Airport Director position contained an inaccuracy. It indicated that the City was looking for a candidate who could guide the creation of a federal Customs facility. This is not the case. Candidates are not expected to have experience in this area and will not be evaluated by the selection panel based on their ability to lobby for, or facilitate the creation of, a federal Customs facility. Long Beach has not made any decisions regarding a federal Customs facility, and such a decision would require approval by the Long Beach City Council.

On November 11, 2014, the City Council voted 8-0 (Andrews absent) to approve an item agendized by Councilman Al Austin, joined by Councilman Roberto Uranga and now-Assemblyman elect Patrick O'Donnell, to "Request the City Manager to schedule an Airport Noise Ordinance Study Session to educate the entire council as to the history, importance, and background on this vulnerable protection for our community. Said Study Session shall include but not be limited to city management, city prosecutor, and city attorney staff. Community stakeholder input should be accommodated as well. This meeting shall be scheduled/conducted within the next 45 days [specified in floor motion in mid-January]" For the agendizing memo text, click here.



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