Fraport USA names Brett Kelly as interim CEO to replace departing Ben Zandi

Stepping up: Brett Kelly has been named Fraport USA interim CEO

USA. Fraport USA has made two appointments to its executive team as CEO Ben Zandi departs the company.

Current Senior Vice President of Operations Brett Kelly has been named interim CEO, taking over from Zandi today (9 December). Rosa Beckett joins the company in the newly-created position of Chief Administrative Officer (CAO).

Fraport USA is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide.

Kelly managed Fraport USA’s retail concessions programme at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport for eight years. He also led Fraport USA’s transition team during the start-up phase of the new retail concessions programme at Nashville International Airport. Kelly assumed the position of Senior Vice President of Operations at Fraport USA in March 2019.

Fraport USA Chairman of the Board Balint Szentivanyi thanked departing CEO Zandi for his “entrepreneurial passion and commitment in developing and accelerating the growth of Fraport USA”.

Szentivanyi added that Fraport USA was seeing positive momentum following recent additions to its airport portfolio. “We are well positioned for the future in the extremely capable and experienced hands of Brett Kelly and the expanded executive team – who are primed to take Fraport USA and our airport partners to new heights,” he said.

Rosa Beckett has been appointed to the role of Chief Administrative Officer

Rosa Beckett brings extensive experience in airport management, strategic planning, service quality and process optimisation from the financial services industries to her new position of CAO. She will oversee the administration of Fraport USA’s growing operations across its airport portfolio.

“We are pleased to welcome Rosa Beckett to the Fraport USA team,” said Szentivanyi. “Beckett is a highly accomplished professional who has made her mark in the aviation and financial services industries. Her depth of experience, financial services background and vision in airport processes optimisation will add tremendous value to our partners, stakeholders, and customers particularly as we continue growing our organisation and expanding Fraport USA’s footprint across North America.”

Beckett spent 18 years with the Jacksonville Aviation Authority in Florida, rising to the rank of CAO, and also served at global financial services firm Merrill Lynch for 11 years.

Fraport USA said it had further strengthened its executive roster by appointing a new vice president of business development to support its expansion initiatives. A new senior management function for customer experience and corporate marketing has also been created.

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