Atlanta airport GM Louis Miller to retire
Career airport executive’s heading back to Salt Lake City after three years managing world’s busiest air hub
- Joeff Davis/CL File
- Louis Miller, right, in 2010 after being picked by Mayor Kasim Reed to lead Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport
After three years leading the world’s busiest airport, Louis Miller is saying farewell and returning to his native Salt Lake City.
The career aviation professional yesterday told Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport staffers that he was retiring. His last day is Jan. 3.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better place than Hartsfield-Jackson to end my career,” Miller said in a statement. “After 37 years in the aviation industry, it’s been a pleasure to serve at the world’s busiest airport and to prepare Hartsfield-Jackson for a prosperous future.”
Miller, who was selected by Mayor Kasim Reed for the job in 2010, succeeded Ben DeCosta, who oversaw the airport for more than a decade. He previously managed the international airports in Tampa and Salt Lake City.
The relatively low-key airport executive, who from what we gather had a sound relationship with the Atlanta City Council, took over just in time to oversee several major projects, including the contentious and controversial bidding for the hub’s lucrative restaurant and retail spots and the final work on the new Maynard Jackson International Terminal. Along the way Miller’s boosted cargo operations, improved the airport’s bond rating, OK’ed the display of a distasteful photograph called “New Mexico,” and built a big parking lot where people could hang out and wait for arriving passengers. (It’s actually quite helpful!)
Reed praised Miller’s efforts and wished him well.
Miguel Southwell, the airport’s deputy general manager, will serve as interim until a replacement is selected. Southwell returned to Atlanta after 12 years managing Miami International Airport. He’d worked in a variety of positions at Hartsfield-Jackson before that job.