ADK Consulting & Executive Search Recruits New Leader for the Connecticut Airport Authority
November 21, 2024 – ADK Consulting & Executive Search has assisted in the recruitment of Michael Shea as the new executive director of the Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA). The assignment was led by Theresia Schatz and Gale LaRoche. “The CAA board made an excellent choice in naming Mike Shea as its new executive director,” said Governor Ned Lamont. “Mike is intimately familiar with the operations of Connecticut’s airports, and he is part of the team that over the last several years is responsible for transforming Bradley International Airport into one of the highest ranked airports in the United States. He understands that there is a direct connection between the strength of our airports and the strength of our economy, and his leadership will be a benefit to Connecticut’s airport system.”
Mr. Shea currently serves as the CAA deputy executive director – finance, business development, planning & engineering. He started with the CAA as director of finance and CFO in September 2013. Mr. Shea has played an integral role in the funding and execution of major capital projects, and his efforts have strongly benefited the CAA’s financial position. At Bradley International Airport (BDL), non-airline revenue has more than doubled during his tenure, allowing the CAA to keep airline costs low and spur additional nonstop route growth. He also helped negotiate and develop two new operating agreements with the airlines during his tenure, introducing a new philosophy to the rate-setting structure at BDL that has helped further increase the number of nonstop routes at BDL from 29 to nearly 50.
General aviation airport revenues have also more than doubled as a result of Mr. Shea and his team’s business development efforts across the CAA’s five general aviation airport system, significantly reducing the system’s operating losses.
“I am honored to serve as the CAA’s second executive director, and I look forward to continue building off the success and momentum that we have been able to achieve together over the past 11 years,” said Mr. Shea. “I am thankful for this opportunity, and I particularly would like to thank the CAA Board for its confidence and Kevin Dillon for his mentorship during my tenure with the organization.”
Serving Airports
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 Kuelpamn, who has a history of over 40 years in aviation. ADK’s services include retained executive search, interim management, organizational consulting, and leadership development.
Ms. Schatz, senior project manager, has over 40 years of diverse experience in the aviation industry. She has experience with various aspects of the industry from the airlines to numerous airport and Port Authority positions and most recently with the Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP). Prior to joining ADK in 2022, Ms. Schatz was senior program officer for the ACRP at the Transportation Research Board under The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine in Washington, D.C. Since 2008, she has managed a variety of current, applied research projects geared to finding current, practical solutions to airport issues. The range of research topics she managed for the airport industry included operations, environmental, business and finance, human resources, safety, policy, and planning.
ADK Consulting & Executive Search Recruits CFO for the Ontario International Airport Authority
Over the past year, a growing number of transportation companies have enlisted executive search firms to help find senior talent. After a nationwide search, ADK Consulting & Executive Search has recruited Celeste Heinonen as the new CFO of the Ontario International Airport Authority. Rod Dinger and Sia Schatz led the assignment. In this position, Ms. Heinonen will play a key role in the authority’s leadership team, overseeing the development and execution of financial goals and objectives. She will create the authority’s financial plans, including annual operating and capital budgets. Ms. Heinonen began her new role on May 28, 2024.
Dr. LaRoche is a senior human resources consultant for ADK, providing retained executive search and consulting services. She also is an adjunct faculty professor for Capella University. Dr. LaRoche has previously served as vice president, administration at the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority and the vice president of HR for the Wayne County Airport Authority (Detroit) and has extensive experience in HR management for both the public and private sector. Her specialty is bringing in strategic HR best-practices and technology to help organizations operate in a more effective and efficient manner. Dr. LaRoche has a wealth of experience in starting up and turning around inefficient HR departments to be effective and strategic partners to the business.
Related: ADK Consulting & Executive Search Seeking CFO for the City of North Miami Beach
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
