AIRPORT CHIEF LEAVING TO START OWN BUSINESS.Byline: RICK ORLOV Staff Writer Lydia Kennard, brought back 14 months ago to end controversy over a master plan to modernize LAX and advance a regional approach to air travel, said Tuesday she will leave her post this month to return to private industry. Kennard, 52, said in a statement that she will leave her $298,312-a-year job at the end of January but is offering to stay on as a consultant while the Airport Commission recruits a successor. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Antonio Ramon Villaraigosa (born Antonio (Tony) Ramon Villar, Jr. on January 23, 1953) is the mayor of Los Angeles, California. He is the first Latino mayor of Los Angeles since Cristobal Aguilar in 1872. said he regretted Kennard's decision and praised her work as executive director of Los Angeles World Airports Los Angeles World Airports or LAWA is the airport oversight and operations department for the city of Los Angeles, California. This department owns and operates Los Angeles International Airport, LA/Ontario International Airport, Palmdale Regional Airport, and Van . ``Lydia Kennard is a consummate leader,'' he said. ``With her capable hand, she piloted LA World Airports to new heights, keeping operations running safely and smoothly while bringing us closer to our ultimate destination -- creating a truly regional approach to air travel.'' A search for a replacement will begin immediately, he added. Kennard said she will be opening an aviation-related real estate company and is leaving after fulfilling a promise to Villaraigosa to reorganize the agency's priorities. ``I feel the goals set for LAWA LAWA Los Angeles World Airports LAWA Lawrence's Warbler (bird species) when I returned in the fall of 2005 have been achieved, making this a natural time for a transition of leadership,'' she said. Villaraigosa brought Kennard back to LAWA to try to resolve lawsuits that had hampered a master plan designed to modernize Los Angeles International Airport “LAX” redirects here. For other uses, see LAX (disambiguation). “KLAX” redirects here. For other uses, see KLAX (disambiguation). Los Angeles International Airport (IATA: LAX, ICAO: KLAX, FAA LID: LAX and scale back the project to a more manageable effort. Under Kennard's direction, the plan now involves about $4 billion in projects -- still one of the largest public works public works pl.n. Construction projects, such as highways or dams, financed by public funds and constructed by a government for the benefit or use of the general public. Noun 1. projects in the nation -- but no longer includes many of the more controversial aspects, including the Manchester Square Manchester Square is an 18th century garden square in the Marylebone area in London, England, a short distance north of Oxford Street. It is one of the smaller but better preserved Georgian squares in central London. facility. Airport Commission President Alan Rothenberg Alan I. Rothenberg (born April 10, 1939 in Detroit, Michigan) is a graduate of the University of Michigan's law school, and an influential administrative figure in the history of North American soccer who is credited with greatly contributing to the growth of the game in the United said the panel appreciates Kennard's experience and leadership. ``Among her many accomplishments, she was instrumental in settling lawsuits over the LAX master plan, launching more than $1 billion in airport construction activity and establishing an ethics program that is a model for government,'' Rothenberg said. Kennard was first appointed by former Mayor Richard Riordan Richard J. Riordan (born May 1, 1930) is a Republican politician from California, U.S. who served as the California Secretary of Education from 2003–2005 and as Mayor of Los Angeles from 1993–2001. Riordan ran for Governor of California unsuccessfully in 2002. but resigned shortly after Mayor James Hahn For the Iowa politician, see . James Kenneth "Jim" Hahn (born July 3, 1950) is an American politician from the Democratic Party. He was the Deputy City Attorney (1975-1979), City Controller (1981-1985), City Attorney (1985-2001) and Mayor of Los Angeles, California was elected. She has never discussed her reasons for leaving, although there was wide speculation about possible clashes with Airport Commission President Ted Stein. Airport Commissioner Val Velasco, who had been part of the organization contesting the master plan, said Kennard had indicated from the time she was appointed that she would be looking to leave soon but had hoped she would put it off until the next stage of environmental reviews are started. Councilman Bill Rosendahl, who represents the airport area, credited Kennard with engineering the settlement and setting a new course for LAX. ``We've been lucky to have her as long as we have and to be able to draw on her expertise in selecting a successor,'' he said. Staff Writer Doug Irving of the Daily Breeze contributed to this report. rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com (213) 978-0390 CAPTION(S): photo Photo: KENNARD |
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