The Atlanta airport’s interim leader for the past four months has been selected as its permanent general manager, the city announced Monday.
Miguel Southwell had been interim GM at Hartsfield-Jackson International since the retirement late last year of Louis Miller.
The job is one of the highest-paying positions on the city payroll and crucial to Hartsfield-Jackson International’s reputation as an efficient gateway for people and cargo.
Southwell was selected over two other finalists who are top managers at smaller airports: Paul Wiedefeld, who runs Baltimore/Washington International, and Deborah Ale Flint, aviation director in Oakland, Calif.
The three finalists were recommended by an eight-member search committee headed by Carol Tomé, chief financial officer at Home Depot. Mayor Kasim Reed made the final decision, and Southwell’s appointment will require city council approval.
