Leadership | All Team Members

Leadership.
Our Almighty Team.

Ricky Smith

Airport General Manager

Ricky Smith

Airport General Manager

As the Airport general manager of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport—the world’s busiest and most efficient airport—Ricky Smith leads one of the most critical aviation and economic hubs globally. He is responsible for the overall governance, strategic direction, and operational oversight of an airport that serves more than 108 million passengers annually, facilitates over 2,700 daily aircraft operations, and generates more than $750 million in annual operating revenue, reinforcing ATL’s status as an economic powerhouse. For more, click here.

Jan Lennon

Airport Executive Deputy General Manager

Jan Lennon

Airport Executive Deputy General Manager

Jan Lennon is the Airport executive deputy general manager of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. In this role, she works directly with the general manager to lead all aspects of the Airport to include but not limited to operations, finance, strategic planning, and infrastructure. A results-driven leader with over 25 years of experience in executive management, public safety, security operations, and large-scale infrastructure development, Lennon manages a workforce to position the airport for sustained global competitiveness. For more, click here.

Chris Crist

Airport Deputy General Manager, Sr. / Chief Information Officer

Chris Crist

Airport Deputy General Manager, Sr. / Chief Information Officer

Chris Crist is the senior deputy general manager and chief technology officer at ATL. He is responsible for all aspects of the Airport’s technology including cyber security, network operations, software applications, and innovation and project management. Crist has nearly two decades of experience leading technology teams in transportation, healthcare, and the military

Frank Rucker

Airport Deputy General Manager, Sr., Infrastructure

Frank Rucker

Airport Deputy General Manager, Sr., Infrastructure

Frank Rucker is the Airport senior deputy general manager of Infrastructure. He oversees hundreds of Department of Aviation, program management and construction management personnel to ensure that all aviation facilities meet or exceed industry standards. He has more than 40 years of experience in civil engineering design and project management, with more than 20 years of progressive experience in the aviation facilities industry, directing sophisticated, sustainable design and construction projects

Tyronia Smith

Airport Deputy General Manager, Sr. | Chief Revenue Officer

Tyronia Smith

Airport Deputy General Manager, Sr. | Chief Revenue Officer

Tyronia Smith is the senior deputy general manager and chief revenue officer. In this role, she oversees Parking, Concessions, Customer Experience, Ground Transportation, and Marketing and Brand Strategy. The Greensboro, North Carolina native began her career with the City of Atlanta as a member of the Department of Law in 2020. There, she managed the Finance Team, supervised the Municipal Governance team that advised the City’s public safety departments, advised the Mayor’s Office of Contract Compliance, and served as senior counsel for Hartsfield-Jackson. For more, click here.

Bryan Benefiel

Airport Deputy General Manager / Chief Financial Officer

Bryan Benefiel

Airport Deputy General Manager / Chief Financial Officer

Bryan Benefiel is the deputy general manager and chief financial officer at ATL. In his role, he oversees more than 100 employees in eight units including capital finance, financial planning & analysis, risk management, revenue, budget and information technology. A certified public accountant, he monitors ATL’s nearly $1 billion annual budget and oversees the financing needs for ATLNext, the Airport’s multibillion-dollar capital improvement program. For more, click here.

Krystel T. Davis

Airport Deputy General Manager, Administration and People Strategy

Krystel T. Davis

Airport Deputy General Manager, Administration and People Strategy

Krystel T. Davis serves as the deputy general manager of Administration and People Strategy for the Department of Aviation. In this capacity, she is responsible for collaborating with the general manager and executive team on long-term strategy and translating strategic goals into operational plans. Ms. Davis also has oversight of several functional areas, including talent management, workforce development, workplace safety, business services, and employee services. For more, click here.

Diana Léon Brown

Airport Deputy General Manager, Marketing and Air Service Development

Diana Léon Brown

Airport Deputy General Manager, Marketing and Air Service Development

Diana Léon Brown is the deputy general manager of Marketing and Air Service Development at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, where she oversees International Affairs, Corporate and Community Affairs, Marketing, Public Relations, Communications, and Air Service Development. Previously, she served as Chief of Staff at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, leading all external affairs including international and business relations, civic engagement, and marketing. With more than 25 years of experience, Diana has built a career bridging government, business, and philanthropy through innovative partnerships that drive sustainable growth. Recognized as a compelling communicator, she is a frequent keynote speaker on women in leadership, business development, and social impact. For more, click here.

Michael L. Smith

Airport Deputy General Manager, Sr., Administration

Michael L. Smith

Airport Deputy General Manager, Sr., Administration

Michael L. Smith is the Airport senior deputy general manager. He manages the department’s day-to-day functions, including media engagement, communications, public affairs, business diversity, law, human resources, and procurement. For more, click here.

Adrienne Ayers

Assistant General Manager, Planning and Development

Adrienne Ayers

Assistant General Manager, Planning and Development

Adrienne Ayers is an assistant general manager for Planning and Development. In this role, she oversees the Central Passenger Terminal Complex, Aviation Information Systems (AIS) Network and Infrastructure teams to ensure facilities meet the expectations of the traveling public. Ayers leads a team of planners, asset/facility managers, project managers, and construction managers to determine facility requirements and deliver them in a timely, cost-effective, environmentally sustainable, and responsible manner. For more, click here.

Jordan Biegler

Assistant General Manager, Operations and Regulatory Compliance

Jordan Biegler

Assistant General Manager, Operations and Regulatory Compliance

Jordan Biegler is the assistant general manager of Operations and Regulatory Compliance. He leads the team that ensures aircraft and passenger operations are conducted safely, securely, and efficiently in accordance with all regulatory requirements. His responsibilities include operations, maintenance, and construction oversight across ATL’s Central Passenger Terminal Complex, five runways, and taxiway system. For more, click here.

April Broaders

Assistant General Manager, Administration

April Broaders

Assistant General Manager, Administration

April Broaders is the assistant general manager for Administration. In this role, she oversees workforce, sustainability, and executive office administration. The Dayton, Ohio native brings a broad range of global, corporate, and regional experience in aviation, technology, software industrial, supply chain, manufacturing, R&D, consumer goods, operations, customer service, and operations centers for Fortune 50, 100, and 500 global corporations. For more, click here.

Candace Brown

Assistant General Manager, Public Safety and Security

Candace Brown

Assistant General Manager, Public Safety and Security

Candace Brown is the assistant general manager of Public Safety and Security. She manages badging and credentialing, ATL Enforcement, access control, insider threat program and maintains a collaborative relationship with the Atlanta Police Department. With over 17 years of airport public safety, security, and program management experience, Mrs. Brown holds the Accredited Airport Executive (AAE) and Airport Security Coordinator (ASC) designations from the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE). For more, click here.

Ashraf Demian

Assistant General Manager, Planning and Development

Ashraf Demian

Assistant General Manager, Planning and Development

Ashraf Demian is an assistant general manager for Planning and Development. He is responsible for overseeing design management for all projects, as well as the Asset and Facility Management, Roadway Signage and Art divisions. This includes managing teams of planners, designers/design managers, and asset/facility managers, to determine the facilities’ requirements and deliver them in a timely, cost-effective, environmentally sustainable manner, and maintain to achieve the desired life. For more, click here.

Karen Ellis

Assistant General Manager, Chief Customer Experience Officer

Karen Ellis

Assistant General Manager, Chief Customer Experience Officer

Karen Ellis serves as the Assistant General Manager and Chief Customer Experience Officer. In this role, she leads a dedicated team focused on enhancing the traveler experience, ensuring ATL remains welcoming and efficient for all passengers. Ms. Ellis brings 27 years of expertise in aviation customer experience and service excellence to her position. For more, click here.

Nidia Farnum

Assistant General Manager, Accounting and Financial Reporting

Nidia Farnum

Assistant General Manager, Accounting and Financial Reporting

Nidia Farnum is the assistant general manager of Accounting and Financial Reporting at Hartsfield-Jackson. A Certified Public Accountant with over 25 years of experience, she is responsible for assisting the CFO and leading multiple major accounting and financial reporting functions including general accounting, financial reporting, internal controls, budget management and development, revenue management, accounts payables and accounts receivables. For more, click here.

Sharon Heard-Brown

Assistant General Manager, IT Operations

Sharon Heard-Brown

Assistant General Manager, IT Operations

Sharon Heard-Brown is the assistant general manager of IT Operations. She is responsible for implementing and integrating technologies to support the Department of Aviation’s strategic objectives. Ms. Heard-Brown has more than 18 years of IT experience. In her current role since 2015, she provides leadership and a clear technological vision for the Department of Aviation and her division. For more, click here.

Augustus “Gus” Hudson

Assistant General Manager, Emergency Management

Augustus “Gus” Hudson

Assistant General Manager, Emergency Management

Augustus “Gus” Hudson is the assistant general manager of Emergency Management at Hartsfield-Jackson. In addition to emergency management, areas of authority include assisting in the management of administration and business, operations, security, and maintenance. He has been in the emergency management and aviation security industry for over 29 years. For more, click here.

Christopher Jackman

Assistant General Manager, Facilities Maintenance

Christopher Jackman

Assistant General Manager, Facilities Maintenance

Christopher Jackman is the assistant general manager for Facilities Maintenance. He oversees maintenance of the airfield, adjacent and surrounding land, and 30 Airport buildings to ensure the safe, efficient environment to move millions of passengers on more than 870,000 flight operations annually. Mr. Jackman’s division encompasses more than 180 professionals providing airside and landside maintenance teams, fleet management, procurement and support services. For more, click here.

Tom Nissalke

Assistant General Manager, Planning and Development

Tom Nissalke

Assistant General Manager, Planning and Development

Thomas Nissalke is the assistant general manager of Planning and Development. In this role, he oversees the planning, design and construction of ATLNext, the Airport’s 20-year, multibillion-dollar capital improvement program. In addition to managing ATLNext’s implementation, Mr. Nissalke is responsible for all Airport planning and the ATL’s environmental compliance programs, environmental planning and federal grants, and regulations compliance. For more, click here.

Neville Randeria

Assistant General Manager, Capital and Financial Planning

Neville Randeria

Assistant General Manager, Capital and Financial Planning

Neville Randeria is the assistant general manager of Capital and Financial Planning. In this role, he oversees the capital financial planning associated with ATLNext, the Airport’s 20-year, multibillion-dollar capital improvement program. In addition, he is responsible for the capital finance, treasury and financial planning functions. For more, click here.

Bob Scalise

Assistant General Manager, Chief Information Security Officer

Bob Scalise

Assistant General Manager, Chief Information Security Officer

Bob Scalise is an assistant general manager and Chief Information Security Officer at ATL. He oversees the Airport’s comprehensive cybersecurity strategy, ensuring the protection of complex technology infrastructures and operational systems essential to safe and efficient airport operations. Mr. Scalise works collaboratively across the Airport’s IT and operational teams to align security initiatives with strategic goals, emphasizing cross-functional risk management and regulatory compliance. For more, click here.

Ana Maria Taroco

Assistant General Manager, Planning and Development

Ana Maria Taroco

Assistant General Manager, Planning and Development

Ana Maria Taroco is an Assistant General Manager of Planning and Development. In her role, Ana is responsible for overseeing project delivery with a focus on ATLNext Parking projects, the upcoming Aviation Administration Center, and the future Concourse E modernization project. She leads a team of planners, asset/facility managers, project managers, and construction managers to ensure projects are delivered in a timely, cost-effective, environmentally sustainable, and responsible manner. Originally from Uruguay, Ana brings 23 years of extensive experience in the construction industry to her position. For more, click here.

Walter Vinson

Assistant General Manager, Business Diversity and Government Affairs

Walter Vinson

Assistant General Manager, Business Diversity and Government Affairs

Walter Vinson is the assistant general manager of Business Diversity and Government Affairs. In this role, Walter manages the integration and inclusion of small, minority and female-owned firm participation in the Airport’s capital improvement program. In addition, he manages the Airport’s state and federal legislative affairs, including initiating legislation at all levels and monitoring state and federal legislation that impacts the Airport. For more, click here.

Anita Williams

Airport Director, Sr. Legislation Research and Policy

Anita Williams

Airport Director, Sr. Legislation Research and Policy

Anita Williams is the legislative research and policy analyst. She manages the legislative process to ensure the timely development, processing and passage of the Department of Aviation’s legislation by the City of Atlanta. For more, click here.

Leadership | All Team Members

Leadership.Our Almighty Team.

Leadership.
Our Almighty Team.