Atlanta Airport Manager Finalists Bring Unique Experiences, Baggage ATLANTA, GA (WABE) - Of the three finalists, only one is currently employed as an airport GM. John Clark III is CEO of the Indianapolis Airport Authority, a position he landed just a year-and-a-half ago. The question is would he take the Atlanta job? After a recent board meeting in Indianapolis, Clark told WTHR-TV he never sought the position.

Clark: "My focus is here."

Reporter: "Are you no longer applying for the job in Atlanta?"

Clark: "Atlanta pursued me. I responded to them. As I've indicated to my board,
my focus is in Indy."

Reporter: "So you're staying here, regardless of what happens?"

Clark: "My focus is here in Indy."

Before leaving his prior post in Jacksonville, Clark came under scrutiny for high-dollar business trips at the airport's expense. Others criticized what they called his "dictatorial" management style. But in his brief tenure, Clark has opened both a new passenger terminal and cargo facility in Indy.

A second candidate, Louis Miller worked as the head of Tampa's airport for the past decade.

"I have nothing but good things to say about him," said Al Austin, chairman of the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority, which oversees the Tampa airport. "He just understands how to run an airport."

But Miller just quit one day about six months ago. That took board member Ken Hagan by surprise. "So that's how I found out [that Miller quit], by an email from him. It was somewhat out of the blue."

Both Hagan and Austin said a few newer board members didn't necessarily see eye-to-eye with Miller.

To best understand Miller and his potential for the Atlanta job, one must go back three decades and two time zones to Salt Lake City, Utah. When Miller took over as head of Salt Lake City's airport, it was mostly a regional operation with outdated facilities. He successfully oversaw the airport's expansion, including helping to establish a Delta hub there.

Finally, there's Lester Robinson, who headed the Detroit Metropolitan Airport until about four months ago. On paper, he seems well-suited for the Atlanta job. Detroit was a hub for Northwest Airlines, and remains an important city in Delta's lineup. Even as they pushed Robinson out, Detroit's airport board praised his abilities. WABE contacted every member of Detroit's airport board, none of whom returned a call. Meanwhile, Robinson's name late last week appeared on a short list of finalists for the Tampa GM job.

Whoever Mayor Reed chooses, the person will need two specific skill sets. One is completing major projects on time and on budget. The other is growing cargo operations. "I believe that is an area where our airport can significantly improve," Reed said to WABE.

Although Atlanta is home to the world's busiest airport in terms of passengers, it doesn't even crack the top 30 airports for cargo.

Each candidate earned between $250-and $275-thousand in their current and former positions. A final figure will be worked out once the hire is made, but is
likely going to be in or near that same range.

Jim Burress, WABE News.
© Copyright 2012, WABE