Ginger S. Evans will become aviation commissioner in Chicago on June 1, Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced on May 10. She has been vice president of engineering for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority since early 2014, overseeing construction at Reagan National and Dulles International airports and on the Silver Line Metrorail project. In her new role, Evans replaces Rosemarie Andolino, who became aviation vice president at Jacobs Engineering in December.
Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who Chicago media characterized as one of Emanuel’s closest political friends, assisted in the search, although a search firm also was hired. Another candidate for the job reportedly was George H. Casey, President and CEO of Vantage Airport Group Ltd., a subsidiary of Vancouver International Airport Authority in Vancouver, B.C.