Farmer named new Chief Operations Officer

Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) is pleased to announce the selection of Ms. Alexandra “Lexie” Farmer, C.M., A.C.E. as the organization's new Chief Operations Officer (COO).  A national search was conducted ahead of the June 2024 retirement of Michael Reisman, current COO at AVL.

Farmer currently serves as the Airport Operations Director for Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) in Charlotte, North Carolina and leads a division of 10 teams with over 300 direct employees and an operational budget of over $70 million annually. Her role also includes strategic operations to create an Airport Operations Division that leads the development and execution of a strategic operations plan with key elements of finance, performance, business management, project coordination and governance, and procedural standardization and optimization. Prior to her work with CLT, Farmer held the positions of Assistant Airport Operations Manager at General Mitchell International Airport (MKE in Milwaukee, Wis.), Airport Operations Supervisor at Dane County Regional Airport (MSN in Madison, Wis.), Landside Operations Supervisor and Aviation Planner, Logistics and Construction Coordinator at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL in Atlanta, Ga.).

Farmer is an industry professional with over 20 years of airport leadership experience and during her career has developed and led a wide variety of operational initiatives that support the mission and vision of the airports she serves. Lexie has a master’s degree in public administration from Georgia State University as well as a bachelor's degree in aviation management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Farmer is also a Certified Member (C.M.) of American Association of Airports Executives (A.A.A.E.), an Airport Certified Employee (A.C.E.), and an Airport Security Coordinator (A.S.C).

Regarding her new appointment, Farmer stated, “I am so excited to join the Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority, and to be a part of the team that is working so hard to meet the demands of today while continuing to build for tomorrow. Asheville is growing, and I am eager to be part of planning for the airport of the future.”

“Lexie rose to the top of a strong field of candidates from around the nation,” said Lew Bleiweis, President and CEO of the Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority. "Her passion for the airport industry, as well as her extensive experience leading complex operational initiatives at larger airports, will be a welcome addition to the senior management team at AVL. We Look forward to officially welcoming her in May”. 

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