Phil Brown assumes Executive Director position at Greater Orlando Aviation Authority

Phil Brown, former Deputy Executive Director of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, is the newly appointed Executive Director of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. He has responsibility for all aspects of development and operations for both Orlando International (MCO) and Orlando Executive Airports. Brown was unanimously approved by the Authority Board to succeed retiring Steve Gardner effective September 20th.

Phil Brown

Mr. Brown brings a significant amount of business experience to the position with his previous strong financial background and oversight management responsibility for the Authority’s Administration/Risk Management, Commercial Properties, Governmental Affairs, Human Resources, Marketing, Purchasing, Small Business Development, and Concessions at both Orlando International and Orlando Executive Airports.

“With his excellent and strong reputation in the financial community and as an accredited Airport Executive by the American Association of Airport Executives, we are confident that Phil Brown has the vision and ability to manage near term financial demands and lay the foundation for a future vision. He can lead one of Florida’s premier airports during this challenging time in the aviation industry” says Cesar E. Calvet Chairman, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority Board.

The Authority has more than 600 employees, 14,000 acres of land, and has service by all U.S. major airlines, five of the top low-cost carriers and a growing number of major international airlines. The Authority’s recently approved budget for fiscal year 2011 is $374,132 million and the airport has more than $2.7 billion in assets.

During the past 30 years as a business professional, Mr. Brown served in a variety of relevant public and private sector positions. These positions included a previous role as Deputy Executive Director – Administration for the Authority in the early 1990s as well as County Administrator for Orange County, Florida. For 14 years, Mr. Brown was employed in the public finance arena including 4 years as a financial analyst and underwriter.

In addressing his role and new position Phil Brown said, “I look forward to working with the Authority Board and staff to build on our strengths as we strive to establish Orlando International as a model intermodal center for the state, the nation and the world.”

Mr. Brown is a certified public accountant licensed in Florida, holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee, and is an Accredited Airport Executive by the American Airport Association of Airport Executives.

Orlando International Airport serves more than 33 million passengers annually and has seen double-digit growth in international passenger traffic this year. Future plans for the airport include continued customer service excellence, capacity development and focus as an intermodal transportation location for the community and the state.