John D. Clark III may have worked his way up to becoming the executive director and CEO of the Indianapolis Airport Authority, yet his love for aviation originates from his childhood.
“My uncle worked for an airline. From time to time, I’d get an opportunity to go to the San Francisco airport and hang out with him. I was a young airport bum,” said Clark. “It was the excitement and the activity going on in the airport. Back then people would dress up to fly; it was such an event.”
Clark went on to join the United States Air Force, finished his college degree and began working in aviation’s corporate sector.
He has managed a small airport, handled finances and business deals for a Sacramento airport system and served as the executive director and CEO of the Jacksonville (Fla.) Aviation Authority.
Clark has been serving at the Indianapolis Airport Authority’s helm since April 13, 2009.
“Our search committee found in John Clark someone with a lifelong passion for aviation, a remarkable record of success and a set of experiences particularly suited to the needs of Indianapolis,” said Randall L. Tobias, Indianapolis Airport Authority president.
The airport authority serves as a landlord. It owns and develops the airport’s property while leasing space to aviation related businesses, retailers, food and beverage businesses and the federal government among others.
Clark’s job may seem like making sure all the bills are paid, however, the California native is not only responsible for the Indianapolis International Airport but five general aviation airports in the greater metropolitan area.
“It’s similar to managing a small city. Just about every discipline you could find is here; there’s even a fire and police department,” said Clark.
To pull off such a feat, Clark states he has a stellar team of employees to contribute to the airport’s continued success.
He maintains t although the ailing economy has affected airports across the country, people are still traveling, only differently. He sees travel, especially by businesses, becoming more planned and well thought out.
Although the Indianapolis airport is new, Clark doesn’t have to worry about short-term goals such as greater capacity or new terminals. He is, however, making some changes of his own. He plans to shift the culture of the organization to best use the new facility and drive the cost of business down for operators. Indianapolis is among the most expensive.
“We were particularly impressed with his record of growth in revenue and air services, goals that are important to us here in Indianapolis,” said Tobias.
Clark has also worked closely with the Jacksonville Super Bowl Host Committee in making Super Bowl XXXIX a tremendous success, which he plans to also accomplish when the City of Indianapolis hosts the 2012 Super Bowl.
He has already put together an internal team of people and is reviewing the planning documents from cities that have previously hosted Super Bowls. His team is getting an academic understanding of what goes into the planning of a Super Bowl and will send team members to upcoming Super Bowls to help finalize 2012 planning.
Although Clark is very busy he does plan to root himself into the Indianapolis community. He understands his role as an African-American in a high position and states he has yet to join any organization because he believes his primary job is taking control of his responsibilities at the airport before lending his talents to other capacities.
He has historically worked with his local Urban League, Chamber of Commerce and his fraternity, Omega Psi Phi.
Clark’s love for aviation spans his lifetime, but his feelings are renewed each day he enters his office.
“I love it. I am blessed because I’m doing what I absolutely love as a profession,” said Clark.
