UK airport operator M.A.G. has appointed former Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) Commissioner, Rosemarie S. Andolino as chief executive officer and president of its newly created North American business M.A.G. U.S. In this role she will oversee the development of the group’s services business in North America working with airports to develop and operate terminal and retail solutions, passenger lounges and car parking facilities.

Andolino joins M.A.G following more than 12 years in international airport management. In her role at CDA she oversaw the management and function of the world’s busiest airport system comprising of O’Hare and Midway International Airports which on an annual basis collectively handle over one million flights, 87 million passengers, 1.5 million tons of cargo and have an operating budget of $1 billion.

During her time at CDA, Andolino prioritised air service development, environmental sustainability and revived the organisation’s focus on customer service. In addition, she implemented an $8 billion reconfiguration of O’Hare’s complicated intersecting runways, including adding the CDA’s first new runway in 37 years.

Also delivering more than 40 new major routes and 12 new international carriers, she implemented the first United States Customs Border Protection Automated Passport Control technology and lead Westfield’s $26 million redevelopment of the international terminal, resulting in increased sales of nearly 70 per cent. In the last decade, CDA has increased its regional economic impact by $2.8 billion.

She was also instrumental in the Windy City hosting last year’s World Routes forum and had worked tirelessly with her team and partners over the past five years to bring the event to the USA for only the second time and where she took a real hands-on approach to ensuring its success for all attendees.

“My first ever experience of World Routes provided me with the most valuable business to business meetings I had ever had. After that it was not simply a case of having to attend the event. We wanted to host it, so I am absolutely delighted that here we are showcasing our airport, city and region to a host of world’s airline leaders,” she told Routesonline at the event last year.

Andolino, who in 2014 was named by Premier Magazine as one of the ‘30 most compelling women in the travel industry’, joins M.A.G U.S from Jacobs Engineering where she has been vice president of aviation. She will commence work with M.A.G U.S on June 1, 2015 and will manage a team based in a new office, set to open in New York City later this year.

“I am delighted to welcome Rosemarie to the business and am confident that she will be the driving force in building a successful airport services business for M.A.G in North America,” said Charlie Cornish, group chief executive officer, M.A.G. “The combination of Rosemarie’s experience of major US aviation projects and M.A.G’s existing expertise drawn from its running of four UK airports makes me confident that we will have a unique offering for the North American market.

M.A.G has made ambitious developments to transform the airports under its ownership, both from an operational and financial perspective. The business is privately managed on behalf of its shareholders - Manchester City Council and the nine Greater Manchester Councils (64.5 per cent) and Australian fund manager IFM Investors (35.5 per cent).

It currently serves 48 million passengers through its ownership and operation of four UK airports: Manchester, London Stansted, East Midlands and Bournemouth and since acquiring Stansted just over two years ago, has invested in creating a new passenger experience and turned it into one of the fastest growing airports in the country.

“I am delighted to be appointed C.E.O and President of M.A.G U.S. M.A.G has impeccable credentials for the ownership and operation of airports in key markets. I very much look forward to building on the success that M.A.G has enjoyed to date,” said Rosemarie Andolino on the announcement of her appointment.

“The airport industry in North America is going through a period of transition and M.A.G is well placed to play a significant role in supporting airports develop new and improved facilities for passengers and airlines,” she added.