The City of Long Beach has appointed a new director of the Long Beach Airport, Jesus “Jess” L. Romo, A.A.E., an airport executive whose previous gigs included overseeing Operations and Emergency Management at Los Angeles International Airport, and working for the Ontario International and Van Nuys airports, officials announced today.

Romo has served as the interim deputy executive director of Operations and Emergency Management since July 2016, and will begin his new appointment in September. He is replacing Brian L. Francis, who resigned in February to begin a position as director of Aviation at the Oakland International Airport.

“Mr. Romo is an accomplished aviation professional who will provide strong leadership and strategic planning for Long Beach Airport,” said City Manager Pat West in a statement. “He will work collaboratively with all stakeholders, including the community, tenants and our commercial and general aviation partners.”

As the new director, Romo will oversee all aspects of Long Beach Airport’s operations, including finances and leases, the Airport Noise Ordinance, community outreach, environmental matters, capital improvements, tenant relationships, security, air service and public affairs.

“I am grateful for this opportunity and look forward to working with the community, all airport stakeholders and partners,” said Romo in a statement. “I am committed to being an approachable and responsive steward of this great airport.”

Romo holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of California, Irvine, and a master’s degree in Industrial Psychology from California State University, Los Angeles.

He is an Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) and received the 2015 Award for Airport Executive Partnership from the National Air Transportation Association, according to the city’s release.

In the release, West also acknowledged the contributions of the current interim director of the Long Beach Airport.

“I would like to thank Interim Airport Director Juan Lopez-Rios for his oversight these past few months at the airport,” commented Mr. West. “Mr. Lopez-Rios will continue his service at the airport as Deputy Director.”

Above, left: Photo courtesy of Romo’s LinkedIn page.