PHILADELPHIA – The City of Philadelphia Department of Aviation, operator of Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE), has announced the promotion of Api Appulingam to its leadership team and promotions and new appointments for several other top roles.
Api Appulingam, P.E., A.A.E., has been promoted to Chief Development Officer and joins the DOA’s leadership team. Appulingam has served as Deputy Director of Aviation, Capital Development overseeing a multi-billion dollar program tasked with making critical improvements and developing new infrastructure at both Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and the Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE) through architectural, engineering, environmental, planning and sustainability projects.
Under her leadership, Philadelphia International Airport became the first airport in Pennsylvania to achieve Level 2 ‘Reduction’ as part of the Airport Carbon Accreditation program. In addition to sustainability, the Capital Development Group has focused on delivering infrastructure that is planned, designed and constructed with an inclusive approach. Prior to joining DOA in 2019, Appulingam served as the Philadelphia Office Leader for RS&H, Inc., a national provider of architecture, engineering and consulting services.
“Capital Development is an important function that has reached a critical stage within DOA’s future. The special focus on preparing for 2026, and the proposed Master Plan Update that once approved by our airline partners, will provide for a large-scale capital program in coming years, warrants a seat on the leadership team. Api has led the Capital Development Group successfully over the past several years, driving innovation and is prepared to deliver on high expectations,” said Atif Saeed, CEO of PHL and PNE.
Appulingam’s promotion follows the appointment of several new members to PHL’s leadership team announced in January. The role of Chief Development Officer is a new role at DOA. Previously, the Chief Operations Officer managed Capital Development, Facilities Management and Security. The change comes following a six-month analysis of the department’s organizational structure conducted by aviation consultants.
The DOA also announced several other appointments:
Mike Morris, Vice President of IT Client Engagement
Mike Morris was promoted to the new Vice President of IT Client Engagement to lead Software Engineering, the IT Helpdesk, and the IT Project Management Office within the Airport’s IT unit. Morris previously held the role of Director of IT. Mike will oversee the development, growth and responsibilities of the IT Helpdesk and the implementation of the various software systems and solutions that support the DOA. These teams are integral contributors to the Airport’s constant innovations and improvements as well as its daily operations. The goal of the IT Client Engagement team is to align the needs of the Airport with the capabilities and offerings of the IT department through strategic partnerships. Prior to joining the Airport, Mike spent 17 years in various IT roles at Penn and Penn Medicine.
Keesha Lane, Director of Community Engagement and Outreach
Keesha Lane has been promoted to Director of Community Engagement and Outreach from her previous role as assistant director. She oversees stakeholder engagement initiatives with a specific focus on community outreach within the airport’s catchment areas. Lane manages a diverse portfolio of external partners, maintaining consistent engagement and communication with surrounding communities. She also facilitates meaningful community volunteer opportunities for PHL/PNE team members. Before joining the Community Engagement unit, Lane served as the Training and Development Manager at DOA. She is a member of the Airports Council International (ACI) and the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE).
Milaris Florian, Director of Safety Management Systems (SMS)
In addition to announcing the promotions, the DOA is excited to welcome Milaris Florian, as its new Director of Safety Management Systems (SMS). Her background includes a deep understanding of security, safety, and airport operations. Florian was previously employed at Newark International (EWR), Wilmington (ILG) and Patrick Leahy Burlington International (BTV) airports. Florian’s career in aviation began with JetBlue's ground operations department. She was also a remote pilot operator at Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma. Florian holds two Bachelor's degrees in Airport Management and Business Management and a Master’s of Science in Homeland Security with a concentration in Safety and Security from Wilmington University. She is also a member of the operations, Safety, Planning, and Emergency Management Committee for the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE).
“We’re excited to have this level of expertise on our team at DOA,” said Saeed. “All of these individuals have years of experience within these important areas of technology, safety, and community engagement. Their work will be critical as we prepare to make sure our airports deliver great experiences to all travelers especially as we head into the high-profile events starting with Wrestlemania next month and leading into all those coming to Philadelphia in 2026.”
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