Maryland Transportation Secretary Wiedefeld Names New Executive Director and CEO of the Maryland Aviation Administration

Shannetta R. Griffin, P.E. Named Leader of BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport

April 4, 2025 – Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld has named Shannetta R. Griffin, P.E. as the Executive Director and CEO of the Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA), overseeing the management, operations and maintenance to ensure the safety of Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) Thurgood Marshall Airport, Martin State Airport and the state’s regional aviation assistance program. She has more than 40 years of experience as a professional engineer within the transportation industry with an emphasis on aviation and aerospace. Executive Director and CEO Griffin begins in her new position on April 7.

“I have full confidence in Shannetta to lead MAA and help grow BWI Marshall Airport, one of Maryland’s most significant economic engines,” said Secretary Wiedefeld. “Her proven leadership and commitment to promoting safety, fostering economic growth and providing premiere customer service ensures BWI Marshall remains one of the top airports in the region.”

Portrait of Shannetta R. Griffin

Prior to joining the Maryland Aviation Administration, Executive Director and CEO Griffin served as Associate Administrator of Airports for the Federal Aviation Administration from 2021 to 2025. In that capacity, she led a team of more than 700 employees nationwide and administered national airport safety and standards, planning, engineering, federal compliance and financial assistance programs to provide complex solutions for more than 3,300 public-use airports across the country.

“I am pleased to join the Maryland Aviation Administration team as the Executive Director and CEO for BWI Marshall Airport and Martin State Airport,” said Executive Director and CEO Griffin. “I am thankful to Governor Moore and Secretary Wiedefeld for the confidence they have entrusted in me to serve the citizens of Maryland and continue the success of the busiest airport in the Washington/Baltimore region. I will build upon relationships with our community and airline partners, and the very capable and dedicated staff to advance the airports as economic gateways to our region and the world.”

Before joining the FAA, Executive Director Griffin served in executive leadership roles for the Indianapolis Airport Authority (IAA) and the Columbus Regional Airport Authority (CRAA). At IAA she was responsible for the management, engineering, planning, construction, environmental and supplier diversity program for multimillion capital and operating budgets for the Indianapolis International Airport and five reliever airports.

As the Chief Commercial Officer at CRAA, Executive Director and CEO Griffin maximized revenue in real estate and land development, air service and cargo development, concession management and parking/ground transportation, increasing concession revenue growth and achieving record breaking passenger growth. Subsequently as the Chief Development Officer, Executive Director and CEO Griffin led the planning and execution of the Authority’s largest capital development program, a $2 billion project consisting of a new passenger terminal, consolidated rental car facility and hotel.

Executive Director and CEO Griffin received her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Toledo and has earned numerous accolades and awards for her leadership in the engineering and aviation industries and her commitment to the community. She is the proud mother of two children and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

BWI Marshall Airport generates a total economic impact of $11.3 billion. The airport and visitors produce and support more than 107,000 jobs throughout Maryland and the region. The airport offers nearly 300 daily nonstop departures to about 90 domestic and international destinations.

Martin State Airport is a public use airport located about 10 miles northeast of downtown Baltimore. It primarily serves general aviation, including corporate, private, law enforcement and military aircraft, along with flight schools and other aviation-related services. Martin State creates and supports about 2,300 jobs throughout the region. It is a federally designated reliever airport, helping to divert noncommercial air traffic from BWI Marshall Airport.

Board of Public Works Approves New Air Traffic Control Tower for Martin State Airport

$22 Million Project Will Replace Aging Infrastructure with Modern Tower


The Maryland Board of Public Works today approved the construction of a new air traffic control
tower at Martin State Airport in Middle River, Baltimore County. The Board, chaired today by Lt.
Governor Aruna Miller and including Comptroller Brooke Lierman and Treasurer Dereck E. Davis,
approved the $22.2 million construction contract to build the new tower.


“This new, modern air traffic control tower further supports the Moore-Miller Administration’s goals
of leading with safety and making strategic investments to grow the state’s economy,” said Maryland
Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. “The new tower will be designed to support growth at
Martin State Airport for decades to come by providing greater visibility for air traffic controllers,
increasing its resiliency and providing ADA compliant access for the first time. Thank you to the
Board of Public Works for approving this critical contract.”


The new air traffic control tower is a critical investment in the future of Martin State Airport and will
offer significant advancements for aviation safety and efficiency. The new tower will replace the
existing facility, which has served the airport for more than 80 years. With a new midfield location and
modern design, the new tower will incorporate the latest technology and safety features, providing air
traffic controllers with enhanced visibility and improved communication.


“This new air traffic control tower represents a major investment in the future of Martin State Airport,”
said Ricky Smith, Executive Director/CEO of the Maryland Aviation Administration. “The project will
meet the growing demands of air traffic in our region while maintaining the highest levels of safety
and efficiency.”


The new tower will be strategically located to provide superior visibility of the airport’s runway,
taxiways, and airspace to help controllers effectively manage the flow of aircraft. The facility will
feature modernized equipment and infrastructure to support future advancements in aviation
technology. Built in 1942, the current air traffic control tower at Martin State Airport is among the
oldest in the nation.


Martin State Airport is a public use airport located about 10 miles northeast of downtown Baltimore. It
primarily serves general aviation, including corporate, private, law enforcement and military aircraft,
along with flight schools and other aviation-related services. Martin State creates and supports about
2,300 jobs throughout the region. It is a federally designated reliever airport, helping to divert
noncommercial air traffic from BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport.

Board of Public Works Approves BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport Construction Projects

$41.5 million improvements to enhance travel for domestic and international passengers

Photo of passengers walking near the entrance to Security Checkpoint D/E at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport

The Maryland Board of Public Works today approved two contracts that will improve and expand a security screening checkpoint and baggage handling systems at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. The construction projects will enhance the travel experience for passengers and provide important capacity for airline operations. The Board, chaired by Governor Wes Moore and including Comptroller Brooke Lierman and Treasurer Dereck E. Davis, approved $5.5 million to expand the airport’s D/E security checkpoint and $36 million to improve baggage systems in the international terminal.

“As travel continues to grow, we are working to ensure the best airport experience for our passengers while creating more opportunities for our airline partners,” said Ricky Smith, Executive Director/CEO of BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport. “These projects are consistent with our commitment to providing a safe, efficient, and comfortable airport.”

The D/E checkpoint project will add two lanes to the security checkpoint, which serves both domestic and international passengers. This screening checkpoint currently reaches throughput capacity during peak periods. The two additional security lanes will help accommodate increased passenger volume.

The international terminal project will replace existing outbound baggage systems that were installed during the original facility construction over 20 years ago. In addition, the work will expand the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) baggage screening facility and improve existing international baggage claim carousels.

BWI Marshall Airport generates a total economic impact of $11.3 billion. The airport and visitors produce and support more than 107,000 jobs throughout Maryland and the region. The airport offers approximately 300 daily nonstop departures to about 90 domestic and international destinations.

__________________________________________________________________