CEO Viewpoint: Governance Structure Matters, Especially for Airports

Editor’s Note: This story first ran in the Pittsburgh Business Times.

Twenty-five years ago, Allegheny County made a bold move.

That’s when county leaders chose business-style organization and agility over politics in how our region’s airports are run. The county went from having an aviation department as part of county government to creating an authority with a CEO reporting to a board of directors.

Allegheny County Airport Authority board members are nominated by the county executive and confirmed by county council. This is a partnership with county government and the community: We are given license to act in the public interest with an eye toward maximizing business opportunities in the region.

When the ACA