Paul Clinton
AIRPORT DISTRICT -- In its search for an executive director, the
Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority has not exactly been
traveling far and wide. In fact, airport commissioners haven't even left
the building.
Dios Marrero, who has served as the authority's acting executive
director since May when Thomas Greer left the post, is the sole announced
candidate for the job.
"He's the only person we've spoken to so far," Burbank Airport
Commissioner Charles Lombardo said. "Right now he's first among equals.
But we're keeping our options open."
Commissioners have discussed the issue during several closed session
meetings since late last year. Lombardo said the nine commissioners would
like to appoint an executive director "sooner rather than later," but did
not say when they would reach a decision.
If airport commissioners are considering other candidates, they are
not saying.
"Dios is the only boss I know about," authority spokesman Victor Gill
said. "If there are other candidates, they have not been made known to
any parties outside the commission."
Marrero was reluctant to discuss the matter, since the authority has
not completed the selection process.
"I'm on an interim status," Marrero said.
Prior to May, Marrero served as the authority's chief financial
officer. The Santa Clarita resident has worked at Burbank Airport since
1987.
Shortly after Greer's departure, Marrero and other airport officials
began talks with Burbank officials to resolve the terminal expansion
dispute. Those talks resulted in the Aug. 4 Framework for Settlement.
Under that agreement, the authority can build a 14-gate,
330,000-square-foot terminal -- to replace the aging current facility --
under certain conditions. The deal has been praised by some, but critics
range from the Federal Aviation Administration and commercial airlines to
Los Angeles lawmakers and homeowners groups under the airport's flight
path.
The new executive director will surely have his hands full as Burbank
and the airport iron out the details of the development agreement for the
replacement terminal, Marrero said.
The City Council is scheduled to vote on the proposal in April,
shortly after a public advisory vote.
While Greer's eagerness to expand the airport was met with resistance
in Burbank, Marrero has been credited with working toward compromise.
"Dios is very well qualified to be the executive director of the
authority," Lombardo said. "He brings a different tone to the authority,
a more positive and open tone."
City officials said they would welcome Marrero as the authority's
executive director.
"We have a good relationship with Dios," City Manager Bud Ovrom said.
"He has been a step in the right direction. I think his appointment would
be well received."
