ACI-NA President David Z. Plavin to Leave Post at End of Year; Ten Years Generated Numerous Accomplishments for the Airport Industry.

WASHINGTON -- David Z. Plavin, President of the Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA), informed the ACI-NA executive committee that he will depart his post at the end of the year. The ACI-NA Board of Directors will begin search for a new president shortly and hope to name a successor by June. The ACI-NA Executive Committee has requested that Plavin stay through the end of the year to assist with the process of orienting his successor.

"It's been a great run at a wonderful organization," ACI-NA President David Z. Plavin said. "I cherish the memories and experiences, but it's now time to move on to the next chapter in my life," he said.

ACI-NA's 2005 Chairman Kent George, Executive Director of the Allegheny County Airport Authority in Pittsburgh praised Plavin for his service to the aviation industry and the association. "David brought new levels of credibility to ACI-NA's policy, regulatory, and legislative advocacy efforts and his leadership was instrumental in achieving a number of major successes for North American airports," he said. "His advice and counsel have been widely sought after by airports, communities, and governments around the world. He established a high standard of service to members and his leadership, expertise, and experience will be missed," George added.

Plavin was named ACI-NA President in January 1996. During his tenure, Plavin was instrumental in advancing airport programs such as ensuring increased funding streams for airports through congressional passage of AIR-21, the Aviation Investment Reform Act, which was signed by President Bill Clinton on April 5, 2000. The bill included raising the cap on airport passenger facility charges. Plavin also brought greater awareness to airport capacity issues, such as the need for additional runways, airfield improvements, and congestion management - and in working with government and industry counterparts after Sept. 11, 2001 toward a goal of enhancing security at all airports.

As a member of the ACI-NA World Governing Board, and active participant in aviation forums around the world, Plavin broadened relationships with ACI's regional offices, and has positioned ACI-NA well in the global aviation environment. He also served on the Executive Committee for the Transportation Research Board, the Aero Club Board, the Airport Cooperative Research Program Governing Board, and as a member of the Federal Aviation Management Advisory Council.

Prior to his arrival at ACI-NA, Plavin served as Director of Aviation at The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey where he was responsible for the management and development of John F. Kennedy International, Newark International and LaGuardia Airports, Teterboro Airport and two Manhattan heliports. During that time, Plavin was a member of the Board of the Airports Council International, Worldwide, and of ACI's North American region. He joined the Port Authority in 1986 as Chief Financial Officer and became Director of Aviation Redevelopment Programs in 1987.

Plavin came to the Port Authority from the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center where he served as Executive Vice President for Operations. That followed eight years at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, where he served as Executive Director from 1981 through 1984.

-ACI-

Airports Council International - North America represents local, regional and state governing bodies that own and operate commercial airports in the United States and Canada. ACI-NA member airports enplane more than 98 percent of the domestic and virtually all the international airline passenger and cargo traffic in North America. Over 300 aviation-related businesses are also members of the association, which is the largest of the six worldwide regions of Airports Council International.