Today, Mayor Todd Gloria announced that he has appointed Guillermo “Gil” Cabrera to serve as the next Chair of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority Board of Directors, effective Aug. 16. Cabrera currently serves as a Board Member. Mayor Gloria also thanked outgoing Chair, Johanna Schiavoni, who will remain an active member of the Board moving forward, for her service and accomplishments in leading the Authority.

“Gil Cabrera has a proven track record of leadership and brings with him a longstanding commitment to improving the quality of life for everyone in San Diego,” Mayor Gloria said. “Mr. Cabrera’s considerable professional experience will help guide the Airport Authority as we continue to modernize our San Diego International Airport and ensure efficient operations into the future. I’d like to offer my gratitude to Johanna Schiavoni for leading the Authority through some of the most challenging times we’ve seen so far.”

Cabrera has practiced law in San Diego for more than 20 years and has been an engaged member of the community, serving on a number of public and private boards and commissions. His experience includes serving on the Board of Directors of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of San Diego and the San Diego Ethics Commission where he served for five years, two as its Chair.

During his chairmanship, the Commission implemented a significant number of major reforms to the City’s lobbying regulations, seeking to increase transparency of lobbyist activity. Cabrera has also served on the San Diego Convention Center Board of Directors, serving as Chair in 2017 and 2018. Additionally, his experience includes serving on the San Diego LGBT Community Center Board of Directors, Alliance for Hope International Board of Directors, and the Sharp Health Care System Board of Directors.

During her term as Chair of the Authority, Schiavoni led the Board through a time of tremendous change. She ensured the Authority continued to make progress in the ongoing work in support of the forthcoming Airport Development Program to modernize Terminal 1. With half of the Board being new appointees in 2021, Schiavoni made sure that new and continuing Board members had access to the relevant training, staff and information needed to tackle their significant work on behalf of the Authority, all while the Board continued to convene remotely. Schiavoni also appointed the Authority’s first-ever Committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Additionally, Schiavoni stewarded the Authority’s Board and organization through unprecedented impacts on the aviation industry resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, while overseeing the Authority’s continued progress and completion of major capital projects like the new passenger cargo facility and the hydrant fueling system, approval of the Authority’s $296 million budget for fiscal year 2022, adoption of the $650 million budget for the Authority’s five-year rolling capital program.

Gil Cabrera said:

“I’m honored to be selected by Mayor Gloria to help guide the Airport Authority Board during such an exciting time in the redevelopment of Terminal 1. I also want to thank Chair Schiavoni for her leadership and commitment to effectively onboarding me and each of the newer board members. I’m looking forward to overseeing the Authority’s Board as we continue the conversation around modernizing San Diego’s transportation infrastructure.”

Johanna Schiavoni said:

“Chairing the Airport Authority during an unprecedented time in aviation history has been both an honor and a challenge. I am proud to have led the work of the Board to protect the health and safety of airport passengers and workers while advancing a multi-billion-dollar investment a new Terminal 1 and ensuring the future growth of our regional economy. I thank Mayor Gloria and look forward to our continued work together.”

Kimberly Becker, President/CEO of the Airport Authority, said:

“We appreciate Mayor Gloria’s continued support of the Airport Authority and the appointment of Gil Cabrera as our next chair. I also thank Chair Schiavoni for her insightful, diligent, inclusive leadership during this critical time.”

The San Diego County Regional Airport Authority manages the day-to-day operations of San Diego International Airport, planning for and providing air transportation services to the region with safe and effective facilities that exceed its customers’ expectations.

Source: https://www.sandiego.gov/mayor/mayor-gloria-appoints-new-airport-authority-chair