Airport names new CEO

The Birmingham Airport Authority announced the hiring of Ronald F. Mathieu as the new chief executive officer of Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport on May 16. 

Mathieu, who will oversee all airport operations, was set to begin work June 17.

He had served as executive director of the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock, Arkansas, since 2006.

Chris Johnson, a BAA board member, praised what he called Mathieu’s “strong financial, operations and administrative work” at other airports, including LaGuardia, Newark Liberty International and JFK International. During his tenure in Little Rock, he strengthened Clinton National’s financial position and made it debt free even while launching a large construction program, according to clintonairport.com.

Calling the Birmingham airport “a critical economic generator” for the city and state, Mathieu said in May he looked forward to ensuring “that the airport continues to make a reliable, sustainable and growing economic impact, while also ensuring our customers have a positive travel experience.”

Mathieu replaces Al Denson, who retired in January 2018 after 34 years with the airport. Two people have since served as interim president and CEO.

The airport served about 2.9 million passengers in 2018, according to the BAA.