Chula Vista Mayor Mary Casillas Salas has been appointed to the Board of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, filling the seat of Imperial Beach City Councilmember Mark West, whose term expires January 31, 2021.

Mayor Casillas Salas was nominated by the mayors of the South County cities and confirmed on January 22, 2021. She will begin her three-year term on February 1, 2021.

“I am honored to serve on the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority Board,” said Mayor Casillas Salas. “I am looking forward to helping this regional asset recover from the pandemic and begin the redevelopment of Terminal 1 and the modernization of San Diego’s transportation infrastructure.”

“Mayor Mary Casillas Salas is an excellent addition to the Airport Authority Board,” said Airport Authority Board Chair Johanna Schiavoni.  “Her vast experience with development and environmental issues in the South County will be a tremendous asset for us moving forward.” 

“I also note with pride that the majority of our Board is now made up of women leaders from across our region, and our Board is increasingly diverse in terms of personal and professional backgrounds. We welcome the breadth of representation and experience our members bring to our Board,” Schiavoni said.

“I’d also like to thank Councilmember Mark West for his years of dedicated service to the Airport Authority,” said Schiavoni. “He has been instrumental in championing environmental stewardship at the Airport and in leading on complex ground transportation issues, including the recent transition to an open taxi operating system which allows all San Diego permitted taxis to participate at the airport.”

“This coming year is going to be a busy one at the Airport as we focus on recovery from COVID-19, and the much-anticipated plans to replace Terminal 1,” said Airport Authority President/CEO Kim Becker. “Mayor Casillas Salas brings a strong portfolio of experience to hit the ground running.”

The Airport Authority operates San Diego International Airport (SAN). It is governed by a nine-member Board whose members are appointed by elected officials representing all areas of San Diego County.

For more information about the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority Board Members, please click here.