Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Executive Director Jacqueline Yaft has announced her resignation, Austin-based media outlets reported.
The move is among the slew of changes at city hall announced on Wednesday by interim City Manager Jesus Garza, who succeeded the terminated Spencer Cronk last month, per Austin ABC affiliate KVUE.
Garza and the city each released statements in relation to Yaft, whose LinkedIn profile described her as having “20+ years of experience in mid and large hub airports.”
“Jacqueline [has] served this city for several years, and it is important to me that we thank [her] for their many contributions,” Garza said, KVUE reported. “I wish them all the best.”
The airport’s former executive director, James Smith, is returning to the position in an interim capacity, the station reported.
Yaft joined AUS in the summer of 2019, nearly over half a year before the COVID-19 pandemic took root.
“In her time at AUS, Ms. Yaft led the airport’s COVID-19 response, launched our Airport Expansion and Development Program and was instrumental in the airport securing new airlines and nonstop flights,” the city’s statement read. “We thank her for her service to our airport and our city.”
Austin CBS affiliate KEYE reported that in addition to Yaft’s resignation, the city said Assistant City Manager Rey Arellano is retiring.
Garza said his interim leadership team includes Smith; ex-Austin assistant police chief Bruce Mills, who’ll taking over for Arellano; ex-Austin deputy city manager Joe Canales, who’ll serve as Mills’ special assistant; and Laura Huffman, another former assistant city manager who’ll act as a consultant.
“I am confident that this group of seasoned professionals – who are here on an interim basis – can help deliver on those issues the way the public and [Austin City] Council expects, laying a solid foundation for the future,” Garza said, according to KEYE.
