Connecticut Airport Authority Names New Executive Director

Connecticut Airport Authority deputy executive director Michael Shea will succeed Kevin Dillon as executive director.

The CAA board of directors approved Shea’s appointment Oct. 17 following a five-month, nationwide search.

Dillon will retire in early 2025, having led the quasi-public airport authority since it was created in 2012.

CAA operates Bradley International Airport and the state’s five general aviation airports—Danielson, Groton-New London, Hartford-Brainard, Waterbury-Oxford, and Windham.

“The CAA has been very fortunate to benefit from Kevin Dillon’s strong, stable leadership since its inception, and the board could not be more pleased to continue this legacy of success with Mike’s deep knowledge and management skills,” board chair Tony Sheridan said.

Shea joined CAA as director finance and chief financial officer in 2013 and is currently responsible for finance, business development, and planning and engineering.

In a statement, the airport authority said Shea was integral to the development of Bradley’s $210 million ground transportation center and the design and construction of the airport’s $187 million checked baggage inspection system facility and $58 million passenger vertical circulation project.

“General aviation airport revenues have also more than doubled as a result of Mike and his team’s business development efforts across the CAA’s five general aviation airport system, significantly reducing the system’s operating losses,” the statement noted.