The board overseeing the Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky International Airport has officially appointed new top executives. This is the first time a Fortune 500 executive has chaired CVG’s governing body.
Krogers Mike Schlotman will take the chair on January 1st following the vote by the Kenton County Airport Board of Directors on Monday. It is the first time since its inception in 1943 that a senior executive from a large Cincinnati company has headed the airport authority.
John Mocker, a well-respected corporate executive in northern Kentucky, will serve as the new vice chairman.
Last month, the Enquirer reported for the first time on the change in management of the Board of Management.
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Schlotman, who lives in Villa Hills, is a 30 year veteran of Kroger. The University of Kentucky graduate is currently the executive vice president and chief financial officer of the food giant.
Schlotman has overseen Kroger’s extensive business travel program, and his airline relationships could help support CVG’s longstanding efforts to land a major new airline. His appointment could help attract Cincinnati’s top business leaders to join the airport’s efforts to bring discount airline JetBlue Airways to the city.
The leadership change comes at the end of a year when CVG’s ticket prices have gradually declined and Kentucky law has restructured the board to allow more regional control over one of the region’s largest economic development assets.
“The airport is well positioned for even greater growth in 2016 and we have the team to achieve our goals,” said Schlotman.
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The Union-based Mocker is the vice president and partner of Covington-based tubular steel processor and distributor LB Industries, one of the largest privately held companies in northern Kentucky. The Ohio State University graduate serves on several boards on both sides of the Ohio River, including the Cincinnati Parks Foundation and the Community Foundation of Northern Kentucky.
Schlotman and Mocker each have a close relationship with airport CEO Candace McGraw, who in recent years has focused on transforming CVG from a high-priced Delta Air Lines hub into a more affordable multi-carrier airport.
Schlotman will replace Northern Kentucky attorney Bill Robinson, who will remain on the board.
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