Phillip A. Washington Makes History Leading Denver International Airport
Phillip A. Washington broke new ground as the first African American CEO of Denver International Airport (DEN), one of the world’s largest and busiest air travel hubs.
Appointed in 2021 and reconfirmed this year, Washington leads the second-largest airport globally, handling millions of passengers annually.
Ambitious Vision to Transform DEN
Washington has unveiled an ambitious roadmap called “Vision 100” targeting 100 million passengers by 2030 – a 30% increase. Overseeing a massive $10 billion capital improvement program, he is spearheading significant upgrades to DEN’s infrastructure.
This includes retrofitting existing terminals, planning a major rental car facility, and initiatives to make the airport more environmentally sustainable like installing additional solar panels.
Washington’s acclaimed leadership abilities have been honed over decades managing multi-billion dollar transit organizations and critical infrastructure projects.
Prior to Denver, he served as CEO of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Denver’s Regional Transportation District.
Trailblazing Transportation Executive
Throughout his career, Washington has earned a reputation as a transformative leader who revitalizes complex agencies. Under his guidance in LA, a half-cent sales tax was approved to fund 40 transformative transit projects. He developed the transportation plan for the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
Washington’s extensive experience also includes two dozen years as a distinguished U.S. Army noncommissioned officer. He rose to the esteemed rank of Command Sergeant Major.
The Denver executive’s impressive credentials have earned him national recognition, including induction into the American Public Transportation Association Hall of Fame. President Biden recently nominated him to be the next Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Champion of Excellence and Innovation
As a trailblazer at the helm of DEN, Washington is charting an ambitious path forward backed by his commitment to operational excellence, safety, equity, and innovation.
“My experience as CEO of the third busiest airport in the world…translates well to the FAA,” Washington said during a U.S. Senate testimony. “The safety of the traveling public will remain my top priority.”
