Ricky Smith named new general manager of Atlanta airport

Credit: File photo

Mayor Andre Dickens announced Ricky Smith as the new general manager of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport beginning April 2. 

Smith most recently served as Executive Director and CEO of Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA) where he was responsible for the management and operations of Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Martin State Airport, and regional aviation activities throughout the State of Maryland. 

Current Hartsfield-Jackson Interim Airport General Manager Jan Lennon will be promoted to an elevated role within the airport as an Executive Deputy General Manager.

“Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport needs dynamic leadership to drive the continued growth we’ve seen over the past years and Mr. Smith’s extensive experience will help us reach more milestones in the years to come,” Mayor Andre Dickens said in a press release. “I want to thank Jan Lennon for her dedication and leadership while we conducted our search, and we look forward to continuing to work with her in the capacity of Executive Deputy General Manager.”

“I am both honored and excited to serve the Atlanta public as the new Airport General Manager for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport – the busiest and most efficient in the world. Mayor Andre Dickens’ confidence in me to lead the City’s and State’s most impactful economic driver is met with deep appreciation. I am looking forward to working with the very talented and dedicated professionals at the airport and the entire City of Atlanta,” Smith said in the press release.

Smith has more than 30 years of aviation management experience working in Baltimore and Cleveland. Since returning to BWI Marshall in 2015, Smith led the airport to five (5) consecutive record-setting years for passengers, including restoring BWI Marshall as the busiest airport in the Washington/Baltimore region and the Best Airport in North America for Customer Service according to Airport Council International.

This story comes to GPB through a reporting partnership with Rough Draft Atlanta.