OREANDA-NEWS. Denver International Airport (DIA) has formed a new Airport Management Advisory Committee to advise the airport and Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock about management, policy and strategic planning at DIA. The committee will further the airport's efforts to sharpen its business focus and remain competitive in an evolving global industry.

The committee was modeled after the Federal Aviation Administration's Management Advisory Council (MAC), to which Mayor Hancock was appointed in January 2014. Established in 1996, Hancock became the first-ever mayor to be appointed to the MAC, which advises the FAA on management, policy, spending and regulatory matters.

"Cities today succeed when they are connected and competitive in the global marketplace," Mayor Michael B. Hancock said. "Denver is a gateway to the world, and DIA is essential to our regional economy. This new advisory committee will guide us as we navigate the opportunities and challenges of the rapidly changing - and ever more competitive - global aviation industry."

Public and private sector experts in various fields have been invited to assess and advise on issues related to the airport's financial, business and strategic plans, passenger segmentation, air service development, technology opportunities and overall performance. Confirmed members include:
Mayor's Office: Cary Kennedy, Deputy Mayor and Chief Financial Officer
City Council: Christopher J. Herndon, Denver City Council President, Representing District 11
Industry: Dave Barger, CEO, Jet Blue Airways (New York)
Roger Dow, President and CEO, US Travel Association (Washington, D.C.)
Jeff Fegan, Former CEO, DFW Airport (Austin)
Tom Fricke, Former CEO, HMS Host (Bethesda)
Angela Gittens, Director General, ACI World (Montreal)
Federico Pena, Senior Advisor, Vestar Capital Partners; Former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation
Business: Eula Adams, CEO, Neuromonics
Jack Blumenthal, Principal, Causey Dampen & Moore PC
Toti Cadavid, Principal, Xcelente Marketing Group
Rus Heise, Former Managing Director, RBC Capital Markets
Chad McWhinney, CEO and Co-founder, McWhinney
Guillermo "Bill" Vidal, Former Mayor of Denver and Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Transportation

"This is a great opportunity to us to learn from great minds in various industries to help guide DIA's future growth," DIA Chief Executive Officer Kim Day said. "We are grateful that these individuals have graciously volunteered to share their time and expertise, and look forward to some insightful conversations with them."

"I am honored to be invited to serve on the Denver International Airport Management Advisory Committee. I applaud the mayor's vision for Denver and believe the airport and its ability to grow and expand especially in the international arena is critical to the future economic development of the region," said Jeff Fegan, Consultant and retired CEO of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. "I look forward to working with the mayor and the committee as we explore how the airport can continue to position itself for the future to maximize connectivity to the world and serve as a catalyst for economic development."

The committee will meet quarterly, and members will serve one-year terms in a volunteer capacity while retaining their private sector positions.

Former Denver Mayor Guillermo "Bill" Vidal added, "Denver International Airport is known for being one of the most beautiful airports in the world but it also has the potential to be much more. The fact that Kim Day and Mayor Hancock want to hear from various experts to help guide the airport's future indicates a willingness and desire to tap into that potential and take the airport to the next level. I'm pleased to be able to contribute to this effort."