O’Hare International Airport serves as the of the world’s busiest airport in the country. Photo by Nicola

Ginger S. Evans was appointed as the new Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) to City Council.

Evans brings nearly 30 years of engineering and aviation experience to the role, which oversees the operation of the city’s two major airports. She joins CDA from the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority in Washington, D.C., where she served as vice president of engineering and oversaw several major construction projects.

“Chicago’s airports provide the city with a unique competitive economic advantage, putting us at the heart of the global economy,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “As an engineer, Ginger Evans understands the structures and systems that make our airports run, but also the airports’ importance as economic drivers for the city. I am confident that the breadth of her talent and experiences make her the right leader for Chicago’s Department of Aviation.”

“This is an important moment in time and I’m excited for this opportunity as we work to build a strong future for O’Hare, Midway, and Chicago’s economy,” said Evans. “I want to thank Mayor Emanuel, and I’m looking forward to serving the people of Chicago.”

Chicago is home to two international airports — Midway and O’Hare, making it one of the largest and busiest airport systems in the country. The global access our airports create make the City of Chicago economically and logistically appealing for corporate relocations.

O’Hare and Midway airports combined handle more than 86 million passengers and 1 million takeoffs and landings each year, with O’Hare alone serving as the world’s busiest airport. Last year the volume of cargo moving through O’Hare increased by more than 10 percent and soon it will have around 4 million square feet to move cargo in and out — the most of any passenger airport in North America.

“Ginger Evans is a consummate pro who brings experience, a steady hand and a sterling reputation to one of the most important jobs in our industry,” said Todd Hauptli, President and CEO of the American Association of Airport Executives.

“As Chicago’s airports are being modernized in a way that balances continued economic growth with maintaining a great quality of life in the surrounding neighborhoods, it is more important than ever to have a strong leader as CDA commissioner,” said former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. “Ginger’s background with aviation, engineering and running major projects make her a great match for Chicago’s needs and that is why, after helping lead the search effort, I was happy to recommend her to Mayor Emanuel.”

Evans brings decades of experience in the engineering and aviation industries. She oversaw major construction projects at Reagan National and Dulles, as well as the new Silver Line Metrorail construction. Prior to her role as Vice President at the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, Evans served as senior vice president at Parsons Construction Group, one of the world’s largest engineering and construction organizations, where she managed their global aviation practice. She has also served as a principal at Carter & Burgess, Inc., and as director of aviation for Denver International Airport.

“There’s no more important job than making sure that O’Hare and Midway remain economic engines for Chicago and our region,” said Alderman Zalewski, Chairman of the City Council Committee on Aviation. “Ginger’s strong management, engineering and planning skills will bring a lot to the CDA as it continues the critical work of strengthening Chicago’s world class airports.”

Pending confirmation by the City Council, Evans will begin serving in her new role at CDA on June 1.