Press Releases

After 21 years as the Director of Aviation at Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (BTR), Anthony Marino has announced that he will resign, effective October 14, 2016, to pursue another opportunity in the aviation industry. Mr. Marino has guided Louisiana’s second busiest airport through numerous industry challenges, maintaining BTR’s self-supporting status as an Enterprise fund that does not receive local tax revenue.

After beginning his career in the City-Parish Finance Department in 1971, Marino transferred to the Airport as an accountant and held several positions before being appointed Director of Aviation in 1995. During his tenure, Mr. Marino oversaw $410 million in airport improvements, which created over 50,000 construction jobs for those projects. Under Marino’s leadership, the airport has become one of the primary economic engines for the Baton Rouge area, with an annual impact of $1.1 billion dollars and over 4,500 direct and indirect jobs. The Airport’s Aviation Business Park has experienced major expansion under Marino’s direction.

"I have enjoyed my career of 45 years as a City-Parish Employee,” Mr. Marino said. "And I have been honored and privileged to lead BTR through the extensive industry changes over the past 21 years. However, it is time to pursue other aviation opportunities.”

Mr. Marino was praised for his dedication, knowledge, and talent for capital development by Airport Commissioner and Metro Councilman Trae Welch. "Anthony has been relentless throughout his career in researching and securing available grant opportunities that might apply to BTR, and boosting airport revenue with new leases. His commitment and hard work resulted in many accomplishments that have benefited the entire Baton Rouge area.”

Mr. Marino praised the Airport staff and noted that Assistant Airport Director, Ralph Hennessy, has extensive experience and has taken on increased responsibilities this year. "The Airport is in good hands with an experienced and dedicated staff,” stated Marino.

In addition to negotiating 58 lease agreements, including commercial airline contracts since 1974, Marino oversaw major improvements and developments at the Airport. Highlights of those accomplishments/projects include:

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Terminal & Facilities:

• Construction of new 175,000 square foot terminal building
• Terminal Access Road
• Two public parking garages, one rental car garage, and additional surface lots
• General Aviation (GA) access roads, fencing, and property development; Fixed Base Operations facilities; corporate hangars                                  
• Construction of new cargo facilities (over 66,000 feet now fully leased)              
• Terminal renovation and rotunda expansion
• Air Carrier and General Aviation fuel farms
• General Aviation (GA) facilities for Fixed Base Operations and Corporate Hangars        
• Public-Private Partnerships for Corporate Hangars and General Aviation "T” Hangars    

Aviation Business Park Projects & Leases:

• 650 acre Aviation Business Park with infrastructure
• Delta Air Lines Regional Jet Western Operations Maintenance Hangar (now ExpressJet)
• Coca Cola (LEEDS) $200 million bottling/distribution facility (private venture)
• DOW Corporation Hangar
• Loomis Armored Car Facility
• All Star Chevrolet Dealership
• ABC Auto Auction Facility (33 acres and 45,000 square ft. building)
• Airframe and Power Plant Mechanic (A&P) FAA Accredited Training Facility
• Guidance Aviation Helicopter Training (Mechanic and Pilot) Center and Robinson Helicopter Retail Facility
• Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Regional Operations Center
• Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Emergency Operations Center
• East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Headquarters
• East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Maintenance Facility
• EdGear Software Developers
• Hesselbein Tire Company (60,000 square ft. building)
• 25,000 square foot Multiplex Natural Disaster Complex

Airfield Improvements & Navigation Aids:

• Relocated major State highways and local roads for runway safety improvements
• 9.8 million square feet of airfield hard surface
• 500,000 square feet of General Aviation Parking Apron
• General Aviation Taxiways          
• Category II (CAT II) Instrument Landing System
• Upgrades on two Commercial Air Carrier Runways and one GA Runway
• Wetlands Mitigation through the Corps of Engineers
• Mosquito & Rodent Control Headquarters (6 acres of land, $11 million building)

About Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (BTR)

The Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (BTR) is served by mega-carriers American, Delta, and United to four of the country’s largest hub airports – Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Houston InterContinental – providing single connection service to destinations worldwide. BTR is the second largest airport in Louisiana based on commercial flights and passenger volume. The Airport is known for its ease of getting to and through, and offers numerous passenger amenities such as free Wi-Fi, a business lounge, and a charging room.

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Contact: Jim Caldwell

Air Service Development, Marketing & Public Relations Manager

Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport

jcaldwell@brgov.com

Phone 225-355-0333Cell 225-931-9098