Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is owned and operated by the City of Austin. We are the Department of Aviation which reports to the Austin City Manager’s Office. Our role as the Department of Aviation is to oversee and manage all airport operations, development, airline and aviation industry relationships, finances and external affairs.

Please meet the AUS Executive Leadership Team!

Photo of Ghizlane Badawi

 

Ghizlane Badawi – Chief Executive Officer

Ghizlane Badawi started with Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in 2008. Since joining AUS, she has held many positions including Administrative Officer, Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Experience and Performance Officer. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, with a major in Finance and a minor in International Business, and a Master’s degree in Business Administration. Ghizlane participates in various professional networks and associations, such as the Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS) and Airport Council International (ACI).

In her role as AUS Interim CEO, Ms. Badawi's strategic vision centers around building and optimizing facilities to meet the growing needs of Central Texas, assembling high-performing teams to deliver exceptional service, ensuring unwavering safety throughout all aspects of airport operations and construction, and actively fostering robust air service that connects Austin to the world. 

In her role as AUS Interim CEO, Ms. Badawi's strategic vision centers around building and optimizing facilities to meet the growing needs of Central Texas, assembling high-performing teams to deliver exceptional service, ensuring unwavering safety throughout all aspects of airport operations and construction, and actively fostering robust air service that connects Austin to the world.

Ms. Badawi’s deep commitment to the region extends beyond the airport walls. She actively engages in aviation professional networks and associations, serves on the board of Visit Austin, and is a passionate advocate for community initiatives that benefit Central Texas residents. With her fluency in four languages, an MBA, and her family deeply rooted in Central Texas public schools, Ms. Badawi embodies the spirit of innovation and community that defines both AUS and the city it serves.

Headshot of Shane Harbinson

Shane Harbinson – Chief Development Officer

Shane Harbinson served as the Chief Development Officer for the City of San Antonio Airport System (SAAS) since September of 2022, and has more than 28 years of experience in airports, primarily focused on capital development programs. He oversees the activities of Planning, Capital Development & Environmental Programs. Shane joined the staff at SAAS in September 2022.

Prior to SAAS, Shane spent 23 years working at the Austin Bergstrom International Airport (AUS). At AUS Shane oversaw a large expansion program that included a major terminal expansion, new baggage handling system, 6,000 space garage, new car rental facility, administration office, major airfield and landside roadway improvements. Additionally, at AUS he worked in several key positions, including Noise Abatement Officer, Principal Planner, Manager of Airport Operations, and Assistant Director since 2006. He has worked at other airports including Midland International and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

Shane graduated from Saint Cloud State University after earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Airport Management.

Photo of Rajeev Thomas

 

Rajeev Thomas – Chief Finance Officer

Rajeev joined AUS in 2017 as Financial Manager III with responsibility for the oversight of airport operating and capital budgets, budget analysis, fixed assets, accounts payable and long-term financial planning functions. Prior to AUS, Rajeev held different senior-level positions in the financial field with Charter Communications (Time Warner), Instinet Corporation and Motorola. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and has more than 27 years of financial experience.

As the Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Thomas oversees the airport's financial short-term and long-term planning, development and monitoring of operating and capital budgets, accounting, securing funding, airline rate-setting and the airport's relationships with lending institutions, bondholders and financial institutions. 

Photo of Tracy Thompson

 

Tracy Thompson – Chief Business and External Affairs Officer 

Tracy is a licensed attorney in Texas and has more than 30 years of experience in airport and airline management, and airport/aviation/transportation consulting practices. Her experience includes senior management and executive positions at American Airlines, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, and  Jacobs/LeighFisher. She has broad experience and expertise in the overall airport business management and revenue generation for airport operators, in both direct aviation and non-aviation airport programs. Tracy earned B.B.A and J.D. degrees from Southern Methodist University and is a Certified Member of the American Association of Airport Executives. 

As the Chief Business and External Affairs Officer, Ms. Thompson provides leadership and strategic direction to revenue management, commercial development and tenant management. This position is also responsible for Government Affairs (federal, state, and local), strategic partnerships and external affairs.

Photo of Towanda Cordon

 

Towanda Cordon – Chief Operating Officer

Towanda joined AUS in 2002 as a police officer and has since held different positions in Airport Operations and Airport Security. She has over 20 years of airport operations, plus 10 years of military airfield operations. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Criminal Justice and Master of Public Administration.

As the Chief Operating Officer, Ms. Cordon provides leadership and direction for airport operations, maintenance, security, compliance with regulatory requirements, emergency management and guest services.  

Photo of Rick Belliotti

 

Rick Belliotti – Acting Chief Experience and Performance Officer, Deputy Chief of Information Systems 

Rick joined AUS in 2022 as the Airport Deputy Chief over Information Technology. Mr. Belliotti's experience extends from oversight of airport IT functions, business start-up, operations management, strategy development, client relations, project management, and many other key experiences. Rick has worked in the aviation industry since 2001, as an Airport executive, a consultant and a solution provider at airports all over the world. He is has a degree in Computer Information Systems from Arizona State University.  He has been very active in the Aviation industry with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Airports Council International (ACI). 

As the Acting Chief Experience and Performance Officer, Mr. Belliotti provides leadership and strategic direction to the airport's information systems, strategic planning, human resources, community affairs and public information and marketing teams. 

AUS Deputy Chiefs

Loren Lintner is the Deputy Chief of Operations, which oversees and coordinates all airside and landside activities at AUS. This includes:

  • Airport operations
    • Airside
    • Landside
    • Terminal
    • Airport Operations Center
    • Emergency management
  • Airport maintenance
    • Airside
    • Landside
    • Terminal
    • Facilities

Lyn Estabrook is the Deputy Chief of Planning and Development. She is responsible for leading Journey With AUS, the airport's multi-year expansion, development and improvement program. The division she oversees are:

  • Planning and Development
  • Environmental Affairs 

Gary Carper is the Deputy Chief of Security, which is responsible for maintaining, updating and enforcing security compliance, measures, and access at AUS. This includes:

  • Operational security
  • Compliance 
  • Badging & ID

Kevin Russell is the Deputy Chief of Talent and the AUS Title VI Coordinator. He oversees human resources activities, training, and performance management at AUS. The divisions he oversees are:

  • Human Resources Division
    • Compensation, Employee Relations and Benefits
  • Talent Acquisition
  • Performance Management Division
  • Safety 

Brian Long is the Deputy Chief of Development, which oversees enhancing and maintaining the airport’s functional capabilities. The divisions he oversees are:

  • Asset Management Division
    • Asset Management
    • Purchasing and Warehouse
  • Building/Airlines Maintenance Division
    • Airport Systems

Jason Alexander is the Deputy Chief of Airport Affairs, which focuses on managing government relationships and more in order to navigate regulatory landscapes and ensure the airport’s operational and financial resilience. This includes:

  • Government affairs/policy
  • Risk management
  • Grants
  • Records management
  • Hotel

Samantha Haynes is the Deputy Chief of Communications and Marketing, which leads internal, external communications, paid marketing strategies that drive business goals and public relations strategies that share information about AUS to customers, stakeholders and the community. This includes: 

  • The Public Information Office and media relations
  • Marketing
  • Community Affairs 

Anna Trejo is the Acting Deputy Chief of Finance, which is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the airport’s financial health and stability through effective resource allocations. These include:

  • Revenue management
  • Accounts payable
  • Budget (Operating & Capital Improvement Program)
  • Accounts receivable
  • Rates & charges