Kennedy brings more than 30 years of experience to the position
Mayor Kasim Reed on Tuesday announced that Robert W. Kennedy will become Acting General Manager of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport as of June 30. He replaces General Manager Ben DeCosta, who is departing after more than a decade in the position.
Effective immediately, Kennedy is Aviation Deputy General Manager. He had been the Assistant General Manager for Operations, Maintenance and Security at the Airport since September 2006.
“I am confident that Robert Kennedy will provide the leadership and stability needed at the Airport during this transition period,” said Mayor Reed. “Robert brings extensive experience and knowledge about a range of Airport operations to this position.”
Mayor Reed recently appointed an Airport Search Committee, led by Home Depot Chief Financial Officer Carol Tome, to assist with finding a permanent Airport General Manager.
Kennedy was instrumental in coordinating the Airport’s participation in CIFAL Atlanta - the North American affiliate of a United Nations research and training program for local authorities and executives. In addition, Kennedy also was part of the delegation that accompanied Mayor Shirley Franklin on a 2006 trade mission to China.
“My appreciation goes to Mayor Reed for his trust and support,” said Kennedy. “With the support of our team, I am sure Hartsfield-Jackson will not miss a beat in maintaining efficient operations and delivering outstanding customer service during this transition.”
Kennedy is the first official from a U.S. airport to be elected to the Airport Management Professional Accreditation Programme Steering Committee (AMPAP). AMPAP was jointly launched and directed by the Airports Council International and the International Civil Aviation Organization to provide a best-of-class program for airport managers.
In addition, Kennedy is one of the few airport directors to earn the prestigious Accredited Airport Executive (AAE) certification from the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE). Candidates undergo a rigorous program and are required to meet a number of prerequisites and complete three phases. Each phase is carefully designed to test one's knowledge, comprehension and understanding of aviation management.
Kennedy has served as director of Marketing, Public Relations and Intergovernmental Affairs at the Airport. He also has worked as the Route Development Manager, where he developed global marketing programs to expand industry and corporate awareness of the capabilities of the world’s busiest commercial airport successfully developed several new airline services to Atlanta. In the private sector, Kennedy served as founder and president of Kennedy & Associates - Aviation and Air Cargo Consulting, LLC, based in Atlanta. The company provided airports, air carriers and aviation-related industries with in-depth analysis and planning for route development, cargo master planning and air service development (including bi-lateral air service agreements).
Kennedy has served as chairman and president of the Atlanta Air Cargo Association, board member of the Georgia Foreign Trade Zone, board member of the Clayton County Chamber of Commerce and president of the PTC Toastmasters International. In 1997 and 2000, Kennedy was named Clayton County’s International Business Person of the Year.
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