VANCOUVER AIRPORT AUTHORITY’S CRAIG RICHMOND TO RETIRE IN JUNE 2020

Vancouver Airport Authority has begun the search for a new president and CEO following the announcement that Craig Richmond is to retire in June, 2020, after seven years in the role.

“Craig has led YVR through a period of unprecedented growth all while ensuring that we delivered on our mandate, as a not-for-profit community-based organization, to provide social and economic benefits to the region,” noted Annalisa King, chair of the airporrt authority’s board of directors.

“He has also been recognised both locally and in the broader industry as a champion of reconciliation, accessibility, sustainability and diversity.

“While Craig helped drive this culture, everyone at the airport, including our employees, our Board and our partners, has a great passion for YVR. Finding a leader who fosters this passion and culture is of the utmost importance to YVR’s Board of Directors.”

Richmond has spent more than two decades with the YVR family. He joined Vancouver Airport Authority in 1995 and held various operational roles, including manager, airside pperations and vice president, operations. He then worked as CEO of seven global airports for Vantage Airport Group, returning to YVR in July 2013 to take on the role of president and CEO.

According to VAA, during his tenure in the top job, he led the team to achieve a wide range of major milestones that are said to have included ushering in a new Strategic Plan that set a course for achieving rapid passenger and airline growth and developing YVR’s ambitious 20-year future roadmap.

“The past six years have been an extraordinary time at YVR and I have so much pride in what we’ve accomplished together,” said Richmond.

“We grew passenger volumes by 50% , we embarked on the most ambitious capital plan in the airport’s history, we created meaningful partnerships within the community—and we had a lot of fun doing it.

“None of these accomplishments would have happened without the exceptional team at the Airport Authority and the 26,500 employees working in the airport community.

“I want to thank the Board of Directors for trusting me to lead the team; I know that I’m leaving YVR in steady, courageous and creative hands.”

The board of directors has formed a Task Force to oversee the global search for the next president and CEO.

It insists that VAA will seek a leader who understands the YVR values and is committed to safety and security, sustainability and supporting our unique business model.