CHARLENE REYNOLDS
DIRECTOR
JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT
WHY: Manages John Wayne Airport, Southern California’s third busiest airport. The airport is often the subject of heated controversies involving noise levels in neighboring communities. Leader since 2022.
IN THE NEWS: Honored at the Business Journal’s annual Women in Business Awards in
2024. Responsible for 174 employees and $530M annual budget. In September, JWA received its second consecutive No. 1 ranking among large airports in the J.D. Power 2025 North America Airport Satisfaction Study. Says the ranking underscores the airport’s focus “on delivering an exceptional travel experience built on trust, convenience, and care for
every guest we serve.”
QUOTABLE: “It was a lot of working long nights, always showing up. My motto is, ‘every day is a job interview.’ Working with that mindset and showing that I had the ability to lead an airport and contribute every single day, that kind of helped me navigate and build my brand.”
