ADK Works With The City of Austin to Recruit Airport Chief Officer – Infrastructure and Systems
July 21, 2026
ADK Consulting & Executive Search, a retained recruitment firm known for its expertise in senior executive searches in the aviation industry, announced the successful placement of Karen Korir, A.A.E., IACE, as Airport Chief Officer – Infrastructure and Systems for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS). In this role, Ms. Korir will provide strategic leadership and oversight for the operational continuity of mission-critical airport facilities/systems and multiple support business units at the airport.
Ms. Korir brings to AUS more than two decades of aviation experience in airport planning, infrastructure, sustainability, resiliency, and capital development. Most recently, she served the Houston Airport System (HAS) for 14 years, where she was Director of Planning & Development. In that role, she led the Planning, Environmental & Sustainability, Airport Spatial Information Services, and Resiliency divisions, overseeing airport master planning and major capital development initiatives across George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), and Ellington Airport/Spaceport (EFD).
Throughout her tenure, Ms. Korir helped shape several transformative initiatives, including multiple terminal development programs, and the planning and licensure of Houston’s Ellington Airport/Spaceport, contributing to the establishment of the nation’s first urban spaceport. She also championed the implementation of the Houston Airport System’s enterprise spatial information system, advanced sustainability efforts achieving Airport Carbon Accreditation Levels 1, 2, and 3 at all three Houston airports. Ms. Korir also led the development of comprehensive Resiliency Master Plans for both IAH and HOU. Earlier in her Houston Airports career, Ms. Korir served as Chief Aviation Planner and Managing Aviation Planner.
Prior to Houston, Karen spent eight years at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, serving in progressively responsible leadership positions in Airport Facility Management, Asset Management, Planning.
“We are excited to welcome Karen to the AUS leadership team,” said Ghizlane Badawi, Chief Executive Officer of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. “Her extensive experience leading complex airport planning, infrastructure, and resiliency initiatives at some of the nation’s busiest airports makes her an outstanding addition to our organization. Karen’s leadership will be instrumental as we continue delivering the Journey With AUS Expansion Program and preparing our airport for the future.”
As she begins her new role at AUS, Ms. Korir shared: “I am honored to join AUS at such a pivotal time in its robust growth and development journey. I look forward to working alongside the talented AUS team and partners to deliver resilient facilities and systems while creating an exceptional experience for our passengers today, and for future generations.”
Ms. Korir earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Coe College and a Master of Public Administration in Aviation from Southern Illinois University. She is an Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) through the American Association of Airport Executives and holds the International Aerodrome Certification from the International Association of Airport Executives.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
