The San Diego County Regional Airport Authority is excited to announce the appointment of Brendan Reed as Vice President & Chief Operations Officer, effective March 25. In this role, Mr. Reed is responsible for setting the strategic direction for terminal and airside operations, aviation and public safety, operational planning and readiness, and facilities management at San Diego International Airport (SAN).
“I am very pleased to promote Brendan to Vice President and Chief Operations Officer,” said Atif Saeed, the Authority’s President and CEO. “During the last four years, he masterfully led the planning and activation of the $3.8 billion Terminal 1 program, which to date is the most complex and high-profile project in the history of the airport. During his 10 years with the Airport Authority, Brendan’s work has had a lasting and meaningful impact on the airport and the region. His promotion is well deserved.”
“I am honored and look forward to taking on this role at SAN,” said Mr. Reed. “Every day I am truly inspired by the knowledgeable and talented colleagues I work alongside in the Operations Division who tirelessly contribute to delivering a best-in-class airport for San Diego and the traveling public. We have accomplished a tremendous amount with the opening of the new Terminal 1, and there is much more to come with enhancing our operational efficiency and passenger experience.”
Most recently, Mr. Reed served as Senior Director of Operational Planning & Readiness at SAN, where he brought together stakeholders across the airport to deliver a seamless operational launch of the airport’s new Terminal 1 and associated parking, roadway, and airfield facilities. He also supported strategic planning and the overall coordination of the Airport Authority’s Operations Division.
Prior to this role, Mr. Reed served as the Airport Authority’s Director of Airport Planning & Environmental Affairs. As part of the Airport’s Development Division leadership team, he guided the organization’s policies related to airport master planning and land use compatibility planning, environmental management, corporate sustainability, and noise abatement. Mr. Reed also spearheaded enterprise-wide initiatives, including the integration of sustainability principles into capital projects and business strategies, ongoing certification through the Airport Carbon Accreditation program, and coordination with federal and state regulatory agencies.
Mr. Reed has represented the Airport Authority on regional and industry committees, including the San Diego Association of Governments (Regional Energy Working Group), the California Airports Council (Environmental Affairs Committee), and Airports Council International–World (Environment Standing Committee, Chair).
Mr. Reed is an Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) through the American Association of Airport Executives and a LEED Accredited Professional through the U.S. Green Building Council.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Richmond and a Master of Science in Ecology from San Diego State University.
