San Francisco, CA -- Mayor London N. Breed today announced the appointment of Mike Nakornkhet as the new Director of the San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Nakornkhet’s appointment follows a comprehensive, nationwide search for the position. Current SFO Director Ivar Satero is expected to retire in early 2025 after more than 40 years of service, including eight as SFO Director.
“SFO is one of the most dynamic and important airports in our country, and its success is critical to San Francisco’s economic recovery,” said Mayor London Breed. “Mike has more than 25 years of aviation industry experience and I am confident his vision will help ensure SFO continues to be a leader. I would also like to thank Ivar Satero for his commitment to the City and to SFO. Under his direction SFO has received well-deserved national recognition, with a significant expansion including the opening of the new Harvey Milk Terminal and the launch of 26 new international airlines and 25 new international destinations.”
“I am incredibly honored to be appointed as Airport Director of SFO by Mayor Breed and am humbled by the trust and confidence that she has placed in me to lead this extraordinary airport,” said Mike Nakornkhet. “I look forward to working with the world-class team at SFO, our partners in the aviation industry, and the community to bring about transformative changes and ensure SFO remains a world-class gateway serving San Francisco.”
Nakornkhet currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of the Denver International Airport (DEN), the nation’s third busiest airport, where he is responsible for the financial operations and a $12 billion Capital Improvement Plan. Prior to joining the leadership of DEN, Nakornkhet spent 13 years at SFO including eight years as SFO’s Director of Financial Planning and Analysis and Acting Managing Director of Finance. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University and a Master of Business Administration from the Kelly School of Business at Indiana University. Additionally, he is the past Chair of the International Airport Professional Community of Practice Executive Board.
“I'm so pleased to offer Mike my congratulations on his selection as the next SFO Airport Director,” said SFO Director Ivar Satero. “Mike's prior significant contributions to SFO along with his success in helping DEN forge a path for the future makes him an outstanding choice. I'm confident that under Mike's leadership SFO will continue to pursue excellence in caring for our guests and achieve new heights with the support of our amazing SFO team.”
“I want to congratulate Mike on being selected as our next Director,” said Airport Commission President Malcolm Yeung. “He has big shoes to fill following in the footsteps of previous Directors who have stewarded SFO to become an internationally recognized airport. And, perhaps even more challenging, Mike follows in the wake of our outgoing Director Ivar Satero who has kept us in this rarefied air. Getting to number one is hard. Staying there is harder. With that said, I have every confidence that Mike will not only maintain but grow our excellence at SFO. So, I have to applaud Mayor London Breed on this selection. She maintained the best interest of the airport and the city in mind in making this decision. But this is not surprising as she has done so throughout her tenure as mayor.”
SFO is the 12th largest airport in the United States with an operating budget in excess of $1.6 billion and an $11 billion Capital Improvement Plan. SFO offers non-stop flights to 56 international cities on 44 international carriers. The Bay Area’s largest airport also connects non-stop with 82 U.S. cities on 16 domestic airlines.
###