Nutter announces new Phila. airport board members

October 8, 2010

Philadelphia Business Journal

When Philadelphia leaders descended on Atlanta two years ago for ideas on improving the city, it didn't take them long to learn what a game changer an airport can be.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International airport had three times the volume of Philadelphia International Airport then with a $23 billion impact on the Atlanta region's economy. Philadelphia leaders heard about investments that were under way at the Atlanta hub, which now has a direct economic impact of more than $32.5 billion for the metro Atlanta area economy.

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter hopes to make Philadelphia International Airport, which is the single biggest economic engine in the region, a game changer too with yesterday's appointment of 19 new members to the Mayor's Airport Advisory Board. The board will help airport CEO Mark Gale in his efforts to grow the airport as a global destination, Nutter said.

"The Philadelphia International Airport has the potential to have a transformative effect on our regional economy and make Philadelphia a world-class city," Nutter said in a released statement about the airport, which contributes $14 billion annually to the local economy, more than 141,000 direct and indirect jobs and $404.4 million in annual tax revenue. "In order for that to happen though, we must work hard as a city, as a region, and as citizens."

Nutter appointed John Saler, chairman of the government and public affairs group of Stradley, Ronon, Stevens Young LLP, as the new chair of the airport advisory board. Pamela Harper, chief operating officer and chief compliance officer of StoneRidge Investment Partners, was named vice chair. The following were also appointed to the board: Steve Aichele, partner, Saul Ewing; Romona Riscoe Benson, president, African American Museum in Philadelphia; Peter Dachowski, president and CEO, Certain Teed; Kevin Dow, COO, city Commerce Department; Jack Ferguson, executive vice president and incoming president, Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau; Meryl Levitz, president and CEO, Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corp.; Ed Mooney, vice president, Communications Workers of America, District 13; Anthony Moore, principal and CEO, Paradigm Group Consultants; Tom Morr, president and CEO, Select Greater Philadelphia; Bret Perkins, senior director, public policy, Comcast; Andy Reilly, partner, Swartz Campbell LLC; Mickey Rowley, deputy secretary for tourism, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development; Mark Segal, publisher, Philadelphia Gay News; Bernard Smalley, partner, Anapol Schwartz; David Woods, chief of staff, Sen. Dominic Pileggi (R-Chester/Delaware); Harold Yoh, president and CEO, Day & Zimmermann; and Ahmeenah Young, president and CEO, Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority.

Board members are not compensated.

Link to the article at Philadelphia Business Journal.