After 16 years gathering worldwide experience, a new face at the helm of the Victoria Airport Authority (VAA) marks a return. Elizabeth Brown takes over as president and CEO effective Sept. 18.
“It has long been a dream to be able to return to Victoria and contribute meaningfully to the continued success of the Victoria International Airport. I am honoured and excited to be selected to lead the Victoria Airport Authority and look forward to working with the dedicated team who have not only seen the airport through significant challenges but have laid out a path of continued growth and development to serve the needs of the Capital Region and Vancouver Island,” Brown said in a news release.
For the last five years, Brown served as president of TBI US Airports, the organization responsible for the operation of the Orlando Sanford International Airport.
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A tri-lingual executive, she has had extensive international experience. She previously held the role of chief commercial officer at the unique Cross Border Xpress, a pedestrian border crossing connecting San Diego, Calif. to the Tijuana International Airport.
Brown also served as the director of marketing, prior to being appointed as chief commercial officer with Vantage Airport Group, where she developed and implemented a marketing program for Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
“We are confident that with her extensive aviation and airport background, VAA will continue to thrive with Elizabeth and the strong team at VAA, as they execute the ambitious capital programs and masterplan over the coming years,” board chair Cathie Ounsted said in the Aug. 14 announcement.
Brown takes over when longtime leader Geoff Dickson retires in September.
Since 2011, Dickson has overseen numerous ambitious capital programs implemented to modernize the terminal building, increase airfield capacity, improve runway safety and add community amenities such as a 9 km multi-use trail around the airport, while ensuring VAA remained debt-free.
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“On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Geoff Dickson for his immense contributions to VAA over the past 12 years, and particularly for his leadership during the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Our community is better off for his efforts, and we wish him all the best and a happy retirement,” Ounsted said.