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ADK Completes Executive Director Search for Connecticut Airport Authority

Michael Shea 127x160

October 23, 2024

ADK Consulting and Executive Search, a retained consulting and search firm based in Jacksonville, Florida, assisted in the successful placement of Michael Shea as the next Executive Director for The Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA). Mr. Shea currently serves as the CAA Deputy Executive Director – Finance, Business Development, Planning & Engineering. He started with the CAA as Director of Finance and CFO in September 2013.

Mr. Shea has played an integral role in the funding and execution of major capital projects, and his efforts have strongly benefited the CAA’s financial position. At Bradley International Airport (BDL), non-airline revenue has more than doubled during his tenure, allowing the CAA to keep airline costs low and spur additional nonstop route growth. He also helped negotiate and develop two new operating agreements with the airlines during his tenure, introducing a new philosophy to the rate-setting structure at BDL that has helped further increase the number of nonstop routes at BDL from 29 to nearly 50.

General aviation airport revenues have also more than doubled as a result of Mr. Shea and his team’s business development efforts across the CAA’s five general aviation airport system, significantly reducing the system’s operating losses.

“The CAA Board made an excellent choice in naming Mike Shea as its new executive director. Mike is intimately familiar with the operations of Connecticut’s airports, and he is part of the team that over the last several years is responsible for transforming Bradley International Airport into one of the highest ranked airports in the United States,” said Governor Lamont. “He understands that there is a direct connection between the strength of our airports and the strength of our economy, and his leadership will be a benefit to Connecticut’s airport system.”

“I am honored to serve as the CAA’s second executive director, and I look forward to continue building off the success and momentum that we have been able to achieve together over the past 11 years,” said Mr. Shea. “I am thankful for this opportunity, and I particularly would like to thank the CAA Board for its confidence and Kevin Dillon for his mentorship during my tenure with the organization.”

Mr. Shea was a Hartford Business Journal 2017 CFO of the Year award winner, and he was recently recognized as a Hartford Business Journal 2024 C-Suite award winner. Prior to the CAA, Mike served in senior finance roles for several real estate and insurance firms. He received a bachelor’s degree in finance from Boston College, and a master’s degree in professional accounting from the University of Hartford. He is a licensed Certified Public Accountant.

Source: Bradley International Airport

CAA