The Maryland Department of Transportation has appointed the new head of the Maryland Aviation Administration, the agency announced April 4, 2025.
MDOT Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld has named Shannetta R. Griffin, an accomplished aviation industry professional, as MAA’s executive director and CEO. She replaces former MAA executive director and CEO Ricky Smith, who left in late February for a general manager role at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
In her new role, Griffin will oversee the management, operations and maintenance to ensure the safety of Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) Thurgood Marshall Airport, perhaps the busiest airport in the state. She will also exercise oversight of Middle River’s Martin State Airport and the state’s regional aviation assistance program.
With more than 40 years of experience as a professional engineer in the aviation and aerospace industries, Wiedefeld expressed overwhelming confidence in the new MAA leader. Griffin began the new position on Monday, MDOT announced.
“I have full confidence in Shannetta to lead MAA and help grow BWI Marshall Airport, one of Maryland’s most significant economic engines,” Wiedefeld said. “Her proven leadership and commitment to promoting safety, fostering economic growth and providing premier customer service ensure BWI Marshall remains one of the top airports in the region.”
Prior to the MAA, 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.
With the FAA, she led a team of more than 600 employees nationwide and managed an annual budget of $3.35 billion. Griffin said she is excited to continue her career in the Baltimore region.
“I am pleased to join the Maryland Aviation Administration team as the Executive Director and CEO for BWI Marshall Airport and Martin State Airport,” Griffin said.
“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, Griffin served in executive leadership roles for airport authorities in Indianapolis and Columbus, Ohio, where she was responsible for the management, engineering, planning, construction, environmental and supplier diversity program for multimillion capital and operating budgets.
Griffin also 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, according to MDOT.
The award-winning aviation executive has numerous accolades to her name, and received a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Toledo. A mother of two, Griffin is also a member of the sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
BWI Marshall Airport generates a total economic impact of $11.3 billion, MDOT said, as 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, located at 701 Wilson Point Road, is a public-use airport and is widely regarded as the “crown jewel” of Middle River. It primarily serves general aviation, including corporate, private, law enforcement and military aircraft, along with flight schools and other aviation-related services.
According to MDOT, Martin Airport creates and supports about 2,300 jobs throughout the region and is a federally designated reliever airport, helping to divert noncommercial air traffic from BWI.
This article was initially published in The Avenue News.