Fort Myers airport gets new CEO, executive director

Steven Hennigan was named CEO and executive director of the Lee County Port Authority, the Lee County Board of Port Commissioners announced July 30.

The previous CEO and executive director, Benjamin Siegel, retired as of April 1, and Hennigan had been serving as interim executive director since then.

In his new role, Hennigan will direct the administration, operations and development of Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) and Page Field (FMY) in Fort Myers. Previously, he had been deputy executive director of aviation and COO for the Lee County Port Authority.

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“I am excited about the opportunity to lead our airports into the future with the terminal expansion projects at RSW and the completion of the south quadrant hangars and ramp project at Page Field, as well as work closely with our community leaders to promote business and tourism in the region,” Hennigan says in a statement.

Before joining the Lee County Port Authority in May 2021, Hennigan had more than 20 years of experience in aviation and leadership, the statement says. He served as chief of operations for the Houston Airport System, managing operations at George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport. Prior to that, Hennigan spent seven years at Denver International Airport in several roles including aviation operations manager.

Southwest Florida International Airport served more than 10 million passengers in 2023 and is among the top 50 U.S. airports in passenger traffic, according to a statement. Page Field — which accommodates corporate, commercial and private aviators — saw more than 200,000 aircraft operations in 2023, according to a statement. Both airports are funded solely with revenue generated from their operations, the statement says; no ad valorem (property) taxes are used for airport operation or construction.