ADK Consulting & Executive Search Assists the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority with CEO Search
August 13, 2026 – ADK Consulting & Executive Search recently assisted in the recruitment of Cris Jensen as the new president and CEO of the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority (RTAA). Rod Dinger led the assignment. “It is my honor to announce the board has chosen Cris Jensen to serve as the next president and CEO, and his contract negotiations are currently underway,” said Shaun Carey, chair of the RTAA board of trustees. “Jensen is a native Nevadan and long-standing airport leader who has served our community exceptionally well in his current role as interim president and CEO of RTAA and before that as the chief operations and public safety officer. After conducting a national search, the board is confident he is the right choice to position the organization for continued success in the years ahead.”
Mr. Jensen began his career in aviation at Reno-Tahoe International Airport in 1992 as an airport operations officer. In 1997, he joined the Elko Regional Airport and spent nearly eight years as airport director. He then served as airport director for the Missoula International Airport for almost 16 years before returning to the RTAA in 2021. Mr. Jensen is an accredited airport executive, a certification from the American Association of Airport Executives, which reflects a comprehensive understanding of airport operations and management and proven expertise in airport leadership.
“I look forward to continuing to lead RTAA and further strengthening the air service we provide for travelers and our region’s expanding businesses,” Mr. Jensen said. “Having returned to the airport where I started my career, I’ve seen our community grow into a dynamic and exciting place to be. It is an immense privilege to be selected for this leadership role where I’ll work alongside employees and community partners to help shape the future of aviation for our region.”
The Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority owns and operates two regional airports: Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO), a commercial airport, and Reno-Stead Airport (RTS), a general aviation facility. The authority is responsible for managing airport infrastructure, operations, safety, and development, and operates similarly to a municipal organization with services such as security, maintenance, engineering, and customer support.
Founded in 2003, Atlantic Beach, FL-based ADK specializes exclusively in talent searches for the airport management community. The firm is led by founder and president Doug Kuelpman, who has a history of over 40 years in aviation. ADK’s services include retained executive search, interim management, organizational consulting, and leadership development.
Aviation Veteran
Mr. Dinger, senior project manager, has extensive experience in the public sector. Prior to his retirement from full-time public service in 2015, he had direct oversight of six internal City of Redding divisions that included airports, solid waste, information technology, fleet, building maintenance and purchasing. Mr. Dinger had managed the city of Redding’s two airports in some capacity from 1991 until 2015. Since joining ADK in 2016, he has served as interim airport manager for five different airports (MVY, ACV, RDD, VCB and CIC). In each case, filling a temporary need while the airport operator was completing their search for a permanent airport manager. Mr. Dinger has also been the lead project manager on numerous senior executive level searches and organizational development projects.
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ADK recently assisted in the recruitment of Paul Mehrlich as the new CEO of Gainesville Regional Airport. His appointment comes after a comprehensive nationwide search to replace outgoing CEO Allan J. Penksa, who has retired after 18 years in the role.
Mr. Mehrlich is a results-driven aviation executive with more than 15 years of progressive leadership in general aviation and Part 139 commercial operations. Most recently he was executive director of aviation for Texarkana Regional Airport in Arkansas where he led a $49 million terminal construction project and a new 20-year master plan while positioning the airport for future expansion and innovation. Previously, Mr. Mehrlich served as environmental operations manager for Dallas Love Field, managing high-profile regulatory programs including noise abatement, wildlife hazard, and regulated international waste.
Related: ADK Consulting & Executive Search Recruits Executive Director for Lincoln Airport
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
