Divisions & Departments

The Commercial Management and Airline Affairs Department (CMAA) oversees revenue generation from airline and airport concession agreements, MSP leases and system-wide non-aeronautical leases. The department manages MAC property and real estate. Eric Johnson is the director of commercial management and airline affairs.

Within the CMAA Department, the Concessions and Business Development team manages lease agreements for food, retail and specialty services at MSP. It also manages on-airport advertising and other revenue-generating activities. The MSP Airport Conference Center also is operated by this department. Isabella Rhawie is the interim assistant director--concessions and business development.

Mark Bents is the interim assistant director--commercial management and airline affairs, overseeing MSP leases related to auto rental and non-concessions property leasing.

The Finance Department is responsible for accounting and cash management functions and for preparation of the annual operating budget and Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. The department secures funds for the Capital Improvement Program and manages payroll, invoices, accounts receivable and MAC investments. It also oversees the acquisition of materials, services and equipment and disposes of surplus property. In addition, the department manages MSP International Airport’s central services functions in the MAC’s General Office building. Nick Hinchley is the MAC's finance director.

This department administers risk and insurance programs for the MAC. This includes risk identification, evaluation, measurement, preventive strategies, claims administration, purchase of coverage and evaluation of financial alternatives. Employee insurance benefit programs, workers compensation and liability, property and safety efforts are all under the purview of this department. Geoffrey Harrold is assistant director--risk and insurance.  

This unit manages and supports all aspects of training, development and employee engagement to ensure continued improvement related to growth, productivity and development of employees and leaders. This is achieved by assessing, creatively designing, implementing and evaluating effective methods to educate, engage and enhance performance. Corey Bonnema is the employee development and engagement manager.

The Employee Relations unit manages human resources processes for non-organized employees. Functions include compensation program design and administration, policy and procedure development and administration, staffing and selection process administration, employee records administration and leave-of-absence administration. The unit provides guidance and counsel to MAC managers regarding management of human resources and assists with resolution of employee relations issues. Nicole Kiefer is the employee relations manager.

This unit oversees efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in MAC hiring, contracting and operations. Programs benefit both the Metropolitan Airports Commission and the community at large. The unit is managed by Tekia Jefferson.

This unit oversees the MAC’s labor relations program, including negotiation and administration of 13 collective bargaining agreements with various unions. The unit works to maintain positive labor-management cooperation among all stakeholders and resolves labor disputes through each contract’s grievance process, which may include mediation and binding arbitration. This unit also provides advice and guidance to other MAC departments on employee disciplinary matters and on labor issues such as project labor agreement negotiations and prevailing wage enforcement. In addition, the unit provides advice on issues such as minimum wage, union organization of non-MAC airport employees and other labor issues. Greg Failor manages the unit.

The Information Systems Department directs and manages all activities involved in the selection, design, development, configuration, deployment and ongoing support of all business systems and applications at the MAC. This unit also oversees enterprise architectural practices and provides awareness of capabilities and maximizes efficiencies by reducing technical complexity and variability.  As a major part of its processes, the unit focuses on combining system planning and system life-cycle functions. Chris Marquardt leads this department.

The Information Technology Project Management Office provides the IT division with project management process ownership and leadership that aligns with standard practices throughout the system development life cycle.

The unit works closely with internal business partners and IT leaders to ensure successful project delivery. Lori Manecke leads this department.

The Infrastructure and Operations Department manages computer servers, data storage, data centers, networks, telecom rooms, fiber optic cabling, telephones and radios across all MAC facilities. 

IT Operations is responsible for managing all end-user support functions including hardware, software and  service desk, which acts as a first point of contact for MAC staff. The unit assists in how the division approaches consistent service delivery, deployment and support, and helps to ensure consistency, reliability and quality of service. Gregg Goudy leads this department.

Assistant Director-Customer Experience, Phil Burke, is responsible for the development, implementation and improvement of customer experience programs at MSP. Phil is the primary liaison for customer experience initiatives with airlines, tenants, government agencies and the Airport Foundation MSP. He also serves as the operational liaison to the MSP Customer Service Action Council, facilitating the integration of customer experience initiatives into the operation of the airport.

Assistant Director--MSP Operations Sara Freese oversees both the Airside Operations and Field Maintenance departments. The Airside Operations Department coordinates with MSP International Airport tenants and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to ensure the airfield at MSP is operated safely and efficiently. This is accomplished through constant monitoring and oversight of airfield infrastructure and activities. The Airside Operations Department also works closely with the FAA to ensure that MAC is in compliance with rules and regulations that pertain to MSP's operating certificate. The department provides input into the planning process for new airfield infrastructure and associated operational procedures. Airside Operations is responsible for managing wildlife control, airfield driver training and testing, snow and ice control coordination, and safety during construction. Airside Operations works closely with federal air traffic controllers at MSP, airline operations officials, and the MAC Field Maintenance, Trades, Police and Fire departments to coordinate daily airfield activities.

Field Maintenance maintains aircraft movement area surfaces, aircraft parking areas (exclusive of tenant leased areas), roadways, turf areas, landscaping, and parking facilities. Field Maintenance is world-renowned for snow removal but has year-round responsibilities including pavement maintenance, repair of perimeter security fencing and airfield access gates, and maintenance of traffic control signage. The department services, repairs and maintains the MAC's vehicle fleet.

The MAC's Landside Operations Department, led by Assistant Director MSP Operations—Landside Jeff Nawrocki, oversees MSP International Airport’s parking enterprise and regulates ground transportation – including taxis, buses, shuttles, app-based ride providers and limousine services.  The department also operates MSP's roadway system, the airport's lost and found services, and serves as a liaison with Metro Transit regarding light rail service at the airport.

The Facilities Management department, led by Scott Skramstad, Assistant Director MSP Operations--Facilities, who is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and cleaning of the terminal facilities and all of the MAC campus buildings. Facilities Management oversees the Energy Management Center, as well as Trades operations, addressing the airport's electrical, painting plumbing and carpentry needs. 

Terminal 2 Facilities is led by Dan Foster, assistant director MSP Operations—Airline Operations and Terminal 2 Facilities, who oversees operations and maintenance activities at Terminal 2 and other common-use facilities at MSP International Airport. The department also serves as liaison to Customs and Border Protection and other federal agencies that oversee the flow of international traffic and cargo.

The MAC Reliever Airports Department manages the operation, maintenance and leasing of the MAC’s six general aviation airports: Airlake, Anoka County-Blaine, Crystal, Flying Cloud, Lake Elmo and St. Paul Downtown. Those airports are designated as “reliever airports” because they reduce air traffic congestion at MSP while providing a vital outlet for flight training, military operations, and corporate and recreational flying. Joe Harris is the director of the Reliever Airports Department.
 

The Airport Operations Analysis & Planning business unit, which is new to the MAC, is developing a Business Intelligence-focused data management program, providing key performance metrics, analytics and dash-boarding. The unit also coordinates other related operational planning activities.

This department prepares and implements MAC’s capital improvement program for all of the MAC’s seven airports. The goal is to ensure needs across the system are identified and fulfilled through coordination and collaboration with all MAC departments. Staff reviews project justifications, costs and timing for development of the overall program. Once projects are authorized by the Commission, primary responsibilities include coordinating the design, engineering, architecture and construction of facilities. Airport Development prepares construction contracts and state/federal grants for projects, and works directly with consultants and contractors to complete projects.  The director for this department is Heather Leide.

The MAC’s building official administers permitting and inspections in accordance with the MAC’s Building Code Ordinance. Responsibilities include the application, administration, implementation and enforcement of the Minnesota Building Code and MAC Construction Standards and MAC Procedures and Design Standards and Guidelines. Duties include plan review, issuance of permits, inspections and retention of construction plans. The department also provides construction management services for retail and food and beverage development and for remodeling of existing tenant spaces at MSP International Airport. Brian Weidemann serves as the MAC’s building official.

The Environmental Affairs (EA) unit is responsible for maintaining environmental compliance with local, state and federal regulations. Compliance activities include waste management programs for recycling and composting; proper disposal of regulated materials; storage tank program administration; stormwater and soil management; air quality programs and assistance for airport tenants with regulatory compliance issues. The EA unit also supports the environmental review process to ensure compliance with federal and state environmental regulations for airport development projects and participates in the preparation of airport long term comprehensive plans. Toni Howell manages Environmental Affairs.

The Planning unit prepares a long-term comprehensive plan for each of the MAC’s seven airports. Each plan identifies future facility needs to accommodate projected demand from the traveling public in a safe, efficient and cost-effective manner. Our goal is to provide a high level of service for airport users through foresight, planning and community coordination.

The planning process identifies when improvements will be needed but does not authorize construction or serve as the basis for the environmental review process or determining noise mitigation program eligibility. Future development concepts are added to the official layout plan for each airport, including a scaled graphic representation of existing and proposed airport facilities.

In addition to facility planning, this unit coordinates activities with neighboring communities related to airport safety zoning and compatible land-use development.

The MAC’s Emergency Programs unit is managed by Kristin Rollwagen. She develops, documents and implements policies, procedures and guidelines to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations. In addition, she develops training programs in compliance with the National Incident Management System and the National Response Plan. Kristi represents the MAC in matters related to state and local emergency management planning and programming. The overall goal of the unit is to ensure the MAC and the airport community are prepared to respond to natural disasters, aircraft incidents or accidents, communicable diseases and other emergency situations.

In addition to specialized aircraft rescue and firefighting, the Airport Fire Department (AFD) serves as a full-service fire department providing structural fire response, emergency medical service, hazardous material response, water and ice rescue, and vehicle extrication. Under the direction of the Fire Marshal, the AFD is also responsible for fire code inspections, sprinklers, fire alarms, building plan review, fire cause investigations and fire prevention activities.

The department provides these services within the geographical boundaries of MSP Airport, which includes the surrounding roadways and waterways, as well as residential and commercial properties included in the department’s mutual aid agreements.

The department employs captains, driver/operators, fire fighters and an administrative assistant. Supported by two assistant fire chiefs, Fire Chief David Burke leads this department.

The Airport Police Department consists of patrol, investigations, narcotics and narcotic canines, explosive detection canines, security, training and administration functions. The department includes the Chief of Police, Matt Christenson, deputy chiefs, lieutenants, sergeants, officers, investigators, administrative support staff, and traffic control agents. The goal of the department is to prevent and detect crime, deter terrorism, protect life and property, and preserve peace, order and safety.
 
The Airport Police Department works closely with federal agencies such as the Transportation Security Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Customs and Border Patrol, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to prevent crimes and enforce laws that help protect national safety and security.  The department also maintains mutual aid agreements with other local, county and state police departments.
 
The MSP Airport Police Department was one of the first in the nation to establish a resident Airport Watch program. In addition, the Airport Police Department oversees the MAC’s Emergency Communications (911 dispatch) activities. 

Learn more about the MSP Airport Police Department. Go to the MSP Airport Website. 

This department works to develop new passenger and cargo air service, promote the MAC’s airport facilities, and build community support for air service at MSP International Airport. The assistant director position overseeing this department is currently vacant.

The Strategic Communications Department activates the voice of the MAC and its airports through media relations, corporate communications and by creating strategic solutions to deliver internal and external marketing campaigns. The department enhances the airport experience by providing information to travelers and increases MAC revenues through marketing of MAC facilities, parking, and food, retail and service concessions. In addition, the department provides paging services at MSP International Airport and responds to public inquiries about the MAC and its airports via phone, email, text and live chat. Patrick Hogan directs the department.

The Stakeholder Engagement Department connects the MAC to the community by designing and implementing best-in-class engagement opportunities and serving as the personal connection of the organization across communities. This department also provides information to the public about airport operations and aircraft noise. Dana Nelson directs this department.

This department is responsible for the MAC and MSP Airport brand and drives revenue for the MAC's operations through the development of marketing plans grounded in research, analytics and results tracking.

This department ensures the organization has a clear strategic focus with an integrated sustainability mindset through facilitating the development, measurement and tracking of strategic goals.