The San Diego County Regional Airport Authority concluded a monthslong nationwide search on Thursday by announcing the appointment of Atif Saeed as its next chief executive officer and president. Saeed will take the reins on March 11, after serving as CEO at the Philadelphia Department of Aviation, where he has overseen operations of the Philadelphia International Airport and Northeast Philadelphia Airport. Saeed succeeds Kimberly Becker, who announced her retirement from the airport authority last fall after a 40-year career. A spokesperson for the airport told the Union-Tribune that Saeed was not available for an interview to talk about his new job. The Union-Tribune left a message for Saeed with a Philadelphia International Airport representative but had not heard back from Saeed, as of Thursday afternoon. In a news release issued by the San Diego International Airport, Saeed said he was honored to be selected. “San Diego International Airport plays a vital role in the region’s economy, and I am impressed by the organization’s commitment to customer service and deep connection to the community,” Saeed’s statement said. “I look forward to working closely with the board, employees, stakeholders, and the community to advance the Airport Authority’s mission.” The news release did not mention any details of Saeed’s financial compensation package, such as pay or contract length. The San Diego County Regional Airport Authority named Atif Saeed as its new chief executive officer on Thursday. (San Diego County Regional Airport Authority) San Diego International is in the midst of several expensive capital improvement initiatives, most notably its $3.8 billion renovation at Terminal 1. The first phase of the project opened in September. Scheduled for completion in 2028, the new Terminal 1 will feature a total of 30 gates and is expected to generate more than $4.5 billion to the local economy and more than 25,000 jobs, according to airport officials. In the news release, chair of the airport authority’s Board of Directors, Gil Cabrera, said the organization is “excited to welcome” Saeed. “We also extend our deep gratitude to Kim Becker for her steady, visionary leadership and commitment to excellence,” Cabrera said. “We look forward to building on that strong foundation under Mr. Saeed’s leadership.” Philadelphia International is also in the middle of its own major renovation effort, spending $500 million on upgrades by May, according to media reports. Some 50 projects include new exits and murals at two of the terminals at the Philadelphia airport, more signage in the airport and on nearby roadways, and improvements to restrooms and waiting areas. “PHL turned 85 this year, and admittedly in some places, we look our age,” Saeed told digital media outlet Philly Voice last September. Saeed, who holds a master’s degree in business administration from Arizona State University, has also assumed leadership positions at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. When Becker announced her retirement last fall, she said she would stay at the San Diego airport authority through mid-March 2026 and help with the transition of her successor. She began her tenure as president and CEO in 2017. According to state records, Becker’s total wages in 2024 were $604,570, with an additional $120,840 in health and retirement benefits. The airport authority owns and operates San Diego International Airport, which is one of the busiest single-runway commercial service airports in the world. San Diego is the third-busiest airport in California and serves 11 nonstop international routes to Europe, South America and Asia. U-T reporter Roxana Popescu contributed to this report.  ...read more read less