PRESS RELEASES

ADK Partners with San Diego County Regional Airport Authority to Recruit VP & Chief Operations Officer

April 1, 2026 – ADK Consulting & Executive Search, a retained recruitment firm known for its expertise in senior executive searches in the aviation industry, announced the successful placement of Brendan Reed as Vice President & Chief Operations Officer. In this role, Mr. Reed will be responsible for setting the strategic direction for terminal and airside operations, aviation and public safety, operational planning and readiness, and facilities management at San Diego International Airport (SAN).

“I am very pleased to promote Brendan to Vice President and Chief Operations Officer. During the last four years, he masterfully led the planning and activation of the $3.8 billion Terminal 1 program, which to date is the most complex and high-profile project in the history of the airport. During his 10 years with the Airport Authority, Brendan’s work has had a lasting and meaningful impact on the airport and the region. His promotion is well deserved.”

— Atif Saeed, President and CEO, San Diego County Regional Airport Authority

“I am honored and look forward to taking on this role at SAN. Every day I am truly inspired by the knowledgeable and talented colleagues I work alongside in the Operations Division who tirelessly contribute to delivering a best-in-class airport for San Diego and the traveling public. We have accomplished a tremendous amount with the opening of the new Terminal 1, and there is much more to come with enhancing our operational efficiency and passenger experience.”

— Brendan Reed, Vice President & Chief Operations Officer, San Diego International Airport

Most recently, Mr. Reed served as Senior Director of Operational Planning & Readiness at SAN, where he brought together stakeholders across the airport to deliver a seamless operational launch of the airport’s new Terminal 1 and associated parking, roadway, and airfield facilities. He also supported strategic planning and the overall coordination of the Airport Authority’s Operations Division.

Prior to this role, Mr. Reed served as the Airport Authority’s Director of Airport Planning & Environmental Affairs. As part of the Airport’s Development Division leadership team, he guided the organization’s policies related to airport master planning and land use compatibility planning, environmental management, corporate sustainability, and noise abatement. Mr. Reed also spearheaded enterprise-wide initiatives, including the integration of sustainability principles into capital projects and business strategies, ongoing certification through the Airport Carbon Accreditation program, and coordination with federal and state regulatory agencies.

Mr. Reed received a bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Richmond and went on to earn a master’s degree in Ecology from San Diego State University. He is an Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) through the American Association of Airport Executives and a LEED Accredited Professional through the U.S. Green Building Council.

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Source: San Diego International Airport

 

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