PHILADELPHIA – The City of Philadelphia and the Department of Aviation, operator of Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE), announces the appointment of Gregory S. Phillips to Chief Operating Officer. Phillips starts May 12, and will assume the role following the retirement of Keith Brune, who served the department for more than 30 years.

Phillips was selected following a national search and is a distinguished Accredited Airport Executive with a track record of successful airport leadership across a range of airports.

Phillips most recently served as Director of Aviation at the Colorado Springs Airport. Prior to that he served as Executive Director of Aviation at Vail/Eagle County Regional Airport and was Airport Director at Pangborn Memorial Airport, Wenatchee, Washington. Over the course of his career, he has managed an expansive list of airport planning, design, and construction projects. Phillips had a key management role at the Federal Aviation Administration during development of the Denver International Airport.

“We’re excited to recruit a leader with deep experience in all facets of airport operations and management,” said Chief Executive Officer, Atif Saeed. “Greg has proven experience managing teams and projects while focusing on exceptional customer service and building positive stakeholder relations."

Phillips has an MBA in Executive Leadership from the University of Denver, Daniels College of Business and graduated from the United States Military Academy, West Point with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. He served as a helicopter pilot in the Army and holds FAA Commercial and Instrument pilot ratings for airplane and helicopter. He has served on the Board of Directors and the Policy Review Council of the American Association of Airport Executives, as well as a number of other boards focused on economic development and tourism. 

"I am thrilled to join the City of Philadelphia and the Department of Aviation and honored to have the chance to work alongside a fantastic leadership team,” said Phillips. With a tremendous capital development program already underway and an organization highly focused on enhancing the customer experience, PHL is the place to be. I couldn't be more excited!"
 

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