CLEVELAND, Ohio – Bryant Francis came to Cleveland in 2023 to help lead the transformation of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Two and a half years later, he believes he has the right team in place to do that.
Francis, the city’s director of port control, recently announced the hiring of Henrietta Brown as the airport’s new assistant director of administration. Brown will oversee the airport’s human resources, legislative affairs, legal and information technology divisions. She was previously deputy director of aviation at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, where she was part of the team that opened a new terminal there in 2019.
Brown is the fourth new executive-level hire this year for Francis, who has put together a six-member team to oversee and improve current airport operations and plan for the new $1.6 billion terminal, due to open in 2032.
“I believe our structure aligns with what leading airports are doing,” said Francis. “It positions us well for long-term success.”
Francis said he took the opportunity to restructure the team with the departures last year of two top-level airport staff. The recruitment process took about a year, he said.
In addition to Brown, here’s who was hired:
Scott Carr, assistant director for commercial business and revenue, is responsible for managing all commercial operations, including passenger and cargo air service, airport concessions, commercial development, ground transportation and North Coast Harbor. A Northeast Ohio native, Carr most recently worked as an assistant general manager at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Megan O’Connell, assistant director for marketing, communications and guest experience, is responsible for strategic marketing and communications and improving the guest experience. She most recently worked as director of marketing and branding at Philadelphia International Airport.
Frank Williams, assistant director for airport operations and public safety, was previously Cleveland’s director of public works. His responsibilities, according to the airport, include “prioritizing the well-being of employees and passengers through fostering a culture of safety, collaboration, and excellence,” as well as improving the airport’s operational efficiency.
The four new hires join two long-time airport leaders: Dennis Kramer, assistant director for airport development, who in recent years has been leading the effort to develop a new airport terminal; and Christine Gilmartin, assistant director for finance and procurement, who is largely responsible for the airport’s budget.
The team already has had some early successes, according to Francis, including the May launch of CLEvolution, which is what the airport is calling its new terminal development project; the introduction last month of the new Hopkins Hospitality program, with several initiatives designed to improve the customer experience; and an increased focus on business development.
Read more:
Cleveland Hopkins improves in J.D. Power airport rankings but remains near bottom
Cleveland Hopkins adds therapy dogs, hidden disabilities pass to new hospitality initiative