On Sept. 7, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) Chief Executive Officer Deborah Flint announced the appointment of two new deputy executive directors. Bernardo Gogna will serve as the deputy executive director – landside access modernization program (LAMP) executive and Michelle D. Schwartz will serve as the deputy executive director – chief of external affairs.
“Los Angeles World Airports is in the midst of an incredible transformation, and Bernardo Gogna and Michelle Schwartz bring the experience, insight and creativity that will help us reach our goal of creating world-class airports in Los Angeles,” said Deborah Flint, CEO, LAWA. “Mr. Gogna and Ms. Schwartz both bring deep knowledge of the aviation industry and airports, and their backgrounds are perfectly suited to support LAWA as we move into the next phases of LAX and VNY modernization.”
Gogna was selected after a seven-month search that attracted highly skilled and experienced candidates. He brings with him more than 25 years of design, program and project management, including 20 years of aviation related experience. Prior to joining LAWA, he served as capital program director at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, where he managed a multibillion-dollar landside and airside facilities capital program to deliver a new pier, terminals, roads and utilities. Prior to joining Schiphol, he was the director of global aviation for AECOM and managed aviation projects throughout Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. As the project director at New Doha International Airport, he led the effort to design, procure, construct, and prepare operations for a new airport, including the 6.46-million square foot Emiri Terminal, an air traffic control tower, aircraft parking positions, maintenance hangars, as well as cargo and Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) facilities.
Schwartz comes to LAWA with extensive experience in government and in the private sector. Most recently, she served as senior director of government affairs for Charter Communications, where she developed, coordinated and implemented government and community affairs strategies. Prior to her work with Charter, Schwartz served as chief of staff to the FAA administrator, where she provided advice on the management of a $16.3 billion budget and more than 47,000 employees. As deputy chief of staff to U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg, she assisted with securing more than $60 billion in Federal funds to rebuild New Jersey and New York after Superstorm Sandy. Schwartz currently serves on the board of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce and Los Angeles Urban League.
Both Gogna and Schwartz will assume their roles Sept. 24.
