The city of Long Beach named Jesus “Jess” Romo its airport director, effective Sept. 6.
He replaces Bryant Francis, who was Long Beach Airport’s director for about 13 months before he took the top job at Oakland International Airport in February.
Long Beach Airport and John Wayne Airport each serve the Orange County community; the largest air carrier by passenger volume at John Wayne, Southwest Airlines, recently added flights out of Long Beach.
Romo had been an interim deputy director at Los Angeles World Airports for about two months. He managed LA/Ontario International Airport starting in 2006, adding Van Nuys Airport management duties in 2010. Ontario and Van Nuys airports are part of LAWA, although Ontario is moving to local control this year.
Kelly Fredericks was chosen as Ontario’s new airport director in March.
A news report said Long Beach Airport provides 43,000 jobs and $11 billion in economic impact for the area.
