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Bob Bergman, Vice President, Public Affairs, UPS and President of Aero Club of Washington, and Chicago Department of Aviation Commissioner Rosemarie S. Andolino
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After being introduced by Aero Club President Bob Bergman, Andolino gave an overview of many accomplishments and milestones reached at O’Hare and Midway International Airports, including the extensive progress made on the O’Hare Modernization Program (OMP) that is reconfiguring O’Hare’s intersecting runways into a modern, parallel configuration to increase the airport’s efficiency and capacity — and securing its position as a cornerstone of the national and global aviation systems.
Andolino called upon policymakers and industry officials to seek long-term answers to airport funding and infrastructure needs and encouraged all aviation stakeholders to work together for the collective good of the U.S. aviation, tourism and travel industries.
Guests attending the event included Norman Mineta, former U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary; Kate Lang, Deputy Associate Administrator for Airports, FAA; Douglas Hofsass, Associate Administrator, TSA; and several staffers from Illinois’ Congressional delegation.
Recent keynote speakers at the prestigious Aero Club have included U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood; Wes Bush, Chairman, CEO, and President of Northrop Grumman; Michael P. Huerta, Acting Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration; and Charles F. Bolden, NASA Administrator. Aero Club’s next keynote speaker will be Deborah Hersman, Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, on September 18.
Andolino, who was appointed Commissioner in 2009, is responsible for the management and operation of O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Midway International Airport (MDW). O’Hare is the second-busiest airport in the world with more than 875,000 operations and nearly 67 million passengers in 2011. Midway, also known as the world’s busiest square mile, is the nation’s premier value-fare airport for point-to-point service. There were more than 255,000 operations and 18.8 million passengers at Midway in 2011, a 7 percent increase over 2010.
Andolino is also charged with implementing the OMP. Under her leadership since 2003, three major projects have been completed on the OMP, including a new runway, an extension to O’Hare’s busiest runway and a new air traffic control tower. All three projects opened on or ahead of schedule, and nearly $40 million under budget.
Since 1909, the Aero Club has hosted hundreds of national and international aerospace leaders at its monthly luncheons – from aviation’s early heroes to those making current headlines. Today, the Aero Club continues its founding mission of fostering and promoting interest in the principles and development of aeronautics.
As an industry cornerstone, the Aero Club is dedicated to building public awareness of aviation and aerospace issues and achievements through its famed monthly luncheons, hosting the Wright Memorial Dinner, and promoting its educational programs. Through the Aero Club Foundation, the Club sponsors educational initiatives for middle and high school students in the Washington area, supports the National Air and Space Museum, and arranges special training opportunities for those interested in careers in aviation. For more information on the Aero Club, click here.
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