{"id":11201,"date":"2019-01-15T12:51:57","date_gmt":"2019-01-15T17:51:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.atl.com\/?p=11201"},"modified":"2019-02-21T15:20:00","modified_gmt":"2019-02-21T20:20:00","slug":"we-remember-former-airport-commissioner-max-walker","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.atl.com\/atl\/we-remember-former-airport-commissioner-max-walker\/","title":{"rendered":"We remember former Airport Commissioner Max Walker"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Max Walker, center, looks at former Aviation Commissioner George Berry in this undated photo. Courtesy of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.<\/p><\/div>\n

By Doug Strachan
\nInnovation and Strategic Business Development Manager<\/em><\/b><\/p>\n

Maxwell \u201cMax\u201d Walker, a giant in Atlanta\u2019s aviation history and the City of Atlanta Department of Aviation\u2019s sixth leader, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 8, after a brief illness. Max was 89 at the time.<\/p>\n

Max worked at ATL from 1967 until his retirement in May 1993, enjoying an extraordinary career of about 26 years. In 1982, he became a deputy commissioner of aviation. In those days, a commissioner, rather than an Airport general manager led the Department of Aviation.<\/p>\n

Among his many accomplishments was earning a reputation for completing ATL construction projects \u201con time and under budget.\u201d In a 1993 interview with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Max recalled that in 1969, the DOA was able to rebuild a runway in just 40 days. \u201cIt usually takes a year or so, but we couldn\u2019t stand for the runway to be out of service for that long,\u201d he told the newspaper.<\/p>\n

ATL\u2019s early intervention in efforts to mitigate community frustration with aircraft noise was another area in which Max succeeded. He told the AJC, \u201cOne of the big things we tried to do was plan for the airport and surrounding communities so we could co-exist.\u201d He went on to say, \u201cI think today the communications and the ability to talk among local governments and the airport is much, much better than it was before.\u201d<\/p>\n

Known for his graciousness, Max was the epitome of fairness, until his frugal nature was stirred. Katie Stanciel, long-time head of ATL\u2019s Parking operation, recounts the time she approached Max with trepidation one evening to broach the subject of hiring extra staff to help her manage the growing demands of her job.<\/p>\n

Stanciel recalls, \u201cI had been taking folders full of spreadsheets home each night, and I was getting tired!\u201d Cautiously entering Max\u2019s office, she explained her position and then asked for the extra help.<\/p>\n

\u201cMax slowly looked up from his desk, smiled at me, and then said, softly, \u2018You can do it, Katie.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

She was ultimately left to get the work done efficiently by herself.<\/p>\n

A host of anecdotes point to the extent to which Max held the bottom line. One recounts the submission of a proposed $80 million budget plan. After reviewing the proposal, the story goes, Max looked up at those in the room and said, \u201cI believe you can do it for $60 million.\u201d<\/p>\n

The basis for the design of today\u2019s ATL has its roots in concepts created or approved by Max Walker. In many ways, it\u2019s clear that Max Walker\u2019s planning, building and operational philosophies permeate the thinking of modern Planning and Development leadership; like Max, they too take pride in the engineering and execution of projects designed to ensure that ATL can fulfill its purpose and mission for years to come.<\/p>\n

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