Leadership

Mayor John Whitmire serves as the Executive Officer of the City. As the City's chief administrator and official representative, the Mayor is responsible for the general management of the City and for seeing that all laws and ordinances are enforced. Administrative duties include the appointments, with Council approval, of department heads and persons serving on advisory boards.

Biography of Mayor Whitmire

Jim Szczesniak, A.A.E., is the Director of Aviation for the Houston Airport System (HAS). He oversees George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), and Ellington Airport (EFD)/Houston Spaceport. With more than 20 years of leadership experience in both public and private sectors, Szczesniak is responsible for the overall management and strategic direction of one of North America’s largest airport systems.

Kelly Woodward, C.M. of A.A.E., is the Chief Operating Officer for the Houston Airport System (HAS). She is responsible for executing strategic initiatives and ensuring operational excellence at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), and Ellington Airport (EFD)/Houston Spaceport. She oversees efficiency improvements across all divisions and collaborates closely with airport stakeholders to deliver world-class passenger experiences.

Clint Stephen is the Deputy Director of Finance for the Houston Airport System (HAS). He is responsible for monitoring the system’s overall financial health. His oversight includes accounting and control, budgeting, corporate finance, financial planning and analysis, capital program control, audit, tax, and risk management.

Saba Abashawl is the Deputy Director of External Affairs for the Houston Airport System (HAS). She oversees global industry relations, government affairs, business development and community engagement. She leads initiatives that strengthen air service connectivity and generate economic growth for Houston.

Francisco Cuellar is the Deputy Director of Commercial Development for the Houston Airport System (HAS). He oversees strategies that drive revenue growth across George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), and Ellington Airport (EFD)/Houston Spaceport through real estate, parking, concessions, and air service development.

Darryl Daniel is the Deputy Director of Information Technology for the Houston Airport System (HAS). He oversees technology infrastructure, applications, networks and security at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), and Ellington Airport (EFD)/Houston Spaceport. He also leads the teams that deliver communication systems, technology support, and major IT projects.

Gary High, C.M. of A.A.E., is the Deputy Director of Large Capital Projects for the Houston Airport System (HAS). He oversees the construction management, from design to project delivery, of all large capital projects at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), and Ellington Airport (EFD)/Houston Spaceport.

Scott Hill, C.M. of A.A.E., is the Deputy Director of Infrastructure for the Houston Airport System (HAS). He provides leadership for the Infrastructure Division, which oversees contracts, fleet and asset management, project controls, design management and project delivery across George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), and Ellington Airport (EFD)/Houston Spaceport.

Julie Landry is the Deputy Director of Workforce Innovation and Development (WID) for the Houston Airport System (HAS). She leads initiatives that support more than 1,200 employees across Houston Airports, focusing on workforce planning, employee engagement, and professional development.

Arturo Machuca is the Deputy Director of Ellington Airport (EFD) and Houston Spaceport for the Houston Airport System (HAS). He oversees the daily operations of the facility, develops and implements policies and procedures, coordinates and monitors the annual operating budget for Ellington, and serves as the lead for Houston Spaceport development.

Kelvin Pabon is the General Manager of William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). He oversees daily airport functions, ensures compliance with FAA and TSA standards, manages staff and operational teams, and coordinates with key stakeholders to support Houston’s first commercial airport.

Cliff Price is the General Manager of George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), where he oversees daily airport functions, ensures compliance with FAA and TSA standards, manages staff and operational teams, and coordinates with key stakeholders to support Houston’s largest airport.

Molly Waits, C.M. of A.A.E., is the Deputy Director of Marketing, Communications, and Customer Experience for the Houston Airport System (HAS). She oversees branding, marketing, internal and external communications, and guest experience programs for George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), and Ellington Airport (EFD)/Houston Spaceport.