The Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority (RTAA) has named RTAA chief operations and public safety officer Cris Jensen as its interim CEO and president while the airport authority conducts a national search for its next CEO. Jensen, who will assume the role on February 1, succeeds outgoing CEO Daren Griffin, who will depart January 31 to serve as president and CEO of the Columbus Regional Airport Authority. Jensen began his aviation career at Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) in 1992, serving as an airport operations officer before working as an airport director for Elko Regional Airport (EKO) and Missoula International Airport (MSO) and returning to RNO as chief operations and public safety officer in 2020.
“Cris brings decades of aviation experience to this role and will ensure the continued, effective operation of RNO and RTS, while also maintaining the momentum of critical programs like MoreRNO,” said Shaun Carey, chair of the RTAA board of trustees. “The board has begun a national search for a new president and CEO and will focus on identifying the right leader to ensure Reno-Tahoe has the aviation infrastructure it needs now and in the future.”
“Returning to the airport I started my career at has been incredibly rewarding,” added Jensen. “The whole RTAA team remains focused on maintaining momentum in air service development and delivering the infrastructure projects our community depends on.”
