Denver International Airport Announces New Chief of Staff

DENVER – Nov. 28, 2023 – Today, Denver International Airport (DEN) announced the appointment of Maria G. Meleandez as its Chief of Staff. As one of five executive vice presidents at the airport, she will be responsible for overseeing Government Affairs and Global Public Policy, Culture and Strategy and the Center of Equity and Excellence in Aviation, among other duties.

Meleandez comes to DEN from The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) where she served as the Deputy Executive Officer.  In an agency of 11,000 employees and an annual budget of $8.5 billion, she worked to advance the implementation of high-impact, community centered workforce investments and both internal agency and outward facing programs and projects.

Prior to joining LA Metro, she excelled in numerous capacities, leading large-scale programs within education, healthcare, and infrastructure industries. Meleandez holds a master’s degree in business administration, is a licensed Registered Nurse, and Hudson-trained Executive Coach.

“Maria has a long and successful history of fostering inclusive environments,” said DEN CEO Phil Washington, “With the many critical initiatives we have underway at DEN, she is the ideal leader to ensure that we are moving projects and initiatives forward efficiently and with thoughtful and comprehensive input. Maria will make a great addition to the DEN Executive Team.”

Meleandez will begin her position at DEN on January 8, 2024.

Denver International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. DEN is the primary economic engine for the state of Colorado, generating more than $36 billion for the region annually. For more information visit www.FlyDenver.com, check us out on YouTube and Instagram, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Sign up for DEN’s monthly newsletter Nonstop News.

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