Steven Hennigan’s interim label was removed from his role as executive director of the Lee County Port Authority on July 30. He will continue leading Southwest Florida International Airport and Page Field, as well as the port authority’s real estate holdings.
Lee County commissioners, who double as port authority commissioners, voted 4-0 twice, once in each capacity, to approve a two-year contract paying Hennigan $250,000 per year.
The commissioners approved the contract without discussion and voted to proceed with the hiring without conducting a national search, which would have cost about $200,000.
Hennigan declined an interview request.
Steven Hennigan
“I look forward to working with the board and the outstanding employees at Southwest Florida International Airport and Page Field,” Hennigan said in a news release. “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.”
The terminal expansion project, budgeted at more than $300 million, will consolidate security for travelers into one checkpoint instead of before each terminal. The project is more than a year behind schedule, records show.
In May, commissioners voted to allow county staff to work with port authority staff as a second set of eyes regarding the construction delays, which are related to the wrong size of steel girders being ordered, records show.
Cost overruns on the terminal expansion project are not yet known, said Vicki Moreland, chief communications and marketing officer for the port authority.
“The design engineers are still working with the construction manager on the best ways to accomplish changes,” Moreland said. “Once that is completed, we will be going to the board for their endorsement of any budget and schedule adjustments.”
Bob Ball, who spent 22 years as the executive director of the Lee County Port Authority, said Hennigan’s hiring was unorthodox for one of the nation’s top 50 airports.
“They did no interviews,” Ball said of filling the position. “They didn’t open it up to the public. There was no opportunity for anyone to apply. It was just a closed system.”
Spending the money on a national search was how Jeff Mulder landed a job leading Oklahoma City’s airport, Ball said.
“You do the search, and you find the best, and you get the best,” Ball said.
Hennigan arrived in Lee County in May 2021 as deputy executive director of aviation and chief operating officer, leading a division of more than 300 employees at RSW and Page Field. He has been interim director since Ben Siegel’s retirement in April.
As chief of operations for the Houston Airport System, Hennigan managed operations at George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport. He also spent seven years at Denver International Airport, serving in several roles, including aviation operations manager.
“It’s unusual that they don’t go out and do a national search,” Ball said. “I don’t know him. So maybe he’s the right guy for the job. But an operations background is just that.”
Operating an airport is but one small part of the job, Ball said, especially with two planned and ongoing RSW construction projects that, combined, likely will exceed $1 billion in costs.
“You need a background in administration and finance and development,” Ball said. “Maintenance and police and fire and operations of more airfields. He may do a great job. But construction management and design …. these projects are huge projects. You need to be able to manage them right. Somehow, this project has gone off the rails. From the planning and design to development phase.”
Only one person spoke during the public comment portion of Hennigan’s contract approval vote.
“I think he brings the right kind of experience to this job,” said Marsha Ellis, a Lee County resident who lives near the airport. “I appreciate the consistency, the investment, that Mr. Hennigan has made in this community.”
