Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti tapped Oakland International Airport's director, Deborah Ale Flint, to head Los Angeles World Airports.
Ale Flint replaces Gina Marie Lindsey, who retired in February, as executive director of LAWA, which owns and operates Los Angeles International Airport, LA/Ontario International Airport and Van Nuys Airport.
As Oakland's aviation director, Ale Flint is the primary executive responsible for the operation, management and business development of Oakland International Airport.
"Deborah Ale Flint is the right aviation executive to lead the changes we are making, including overhauling nearly every terminal and bringing rail to LAX, growing passenger activity at LA/Ontario Airport and adding new customs service at Van Nuys Airport," Garcetti said in a prepared statement.
Prior to her role as director of aviation, Ale Flint was the assistant aviation director. She previously led Oakland International Airport's capital program, where she coordinated the design, financing and implementation of major airport projects, participating in the issuance of over $500 million in revenue bonds.
Ale Flint currently represents all domestic airports on the US Department of Transportation's Aviation Consumer Protection Committee and serves on the Transportation Research Board's Airport Cooperative Research Program, the Airports Council International and California Airports Council.
Her nomination is subject to confirmation by the City Council. She is expected to take over her new post in mid-July.
The Port of Oakland said it is beginning its search to replace Ale Flint.
"We are disappointed to lose such a dynamic, talented leader," said Port of Oakland Executive Director Chris Lytle. "But she leaves behind a strong management team that will carry on her legacy of innovation, planning and financial discipline."
