Denver International Airport announces to executive appointments

Denver,Dec. 17, 2014(STAT):-Denver International Airport (DIA) announced the appointment of two new executive vice presidents (EVP). Ken Greene has been selected as the new Chief Operating Officer EVP who will lead the business unit that includes Airport Infrastructure Management, Technologies, Airport Operations, the Hotel and Transit Center and Special Projects. Bhavesh A. Patel has been selected the airport’s new Chief Revenue Officer EVP in charge of the Commercial, Concessions and DEN Real Estate business unit.

Greene has been with DIA since 2009, when he was named senior advisor to DIA CEO Kim Day and was later promoted to deputy manager for maintenance. In November 2011, Greene assumed the role of deputy manager for airport operations. Under his leadership, DIA has implemented a number of strategic projects that include the rollout of the Federal Aviation Administration’s NextGen technology, and the implementation of the Aerobahn airfield surface management and deicing systems.

Patel comes to DIA from Tampa International Airport (TPA) where he currently serves as the director of airport concessions. He has more than 19 years of experience that brings together airport, airline, public, and private sector aviation experience. At TPA, he led the team responsible for implementing the Airport Concessions Redevelopment Program, which is projected to grow airport concessions revenue by nearly 50 percent in five years. He also developed and implemented the airport’s largest outreach program, designed to connect contractors, banks, prime operators, and local, minority-owned and women-owned businesses. Patel implemented a concession revenue enhancement program working with the existing tenants with no term extensions or rent considerations to re-concept, remodel, and new store openings resulting in approximately $12.5 million increase in incremental gross sales. He was also responsible for the development and execution of the business plan for the Consolidated Rental Car Center, the first for TPA, collaborating with internal and external stakeholders.

Prior to joining TPA, Patel served as the manager of the concession development program at San Diego International Airport and he worked for the aviation consultancy firm SH&E/CAM, where he specialized in concession planning, revenue optimization and financial forecasting, modeling and analysis. Earlier in his career, he held various positions at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, General Electric Engine Services, Northwest Airlines, Tucson Airport Authority and the City of Phoenix’s Aviation Department. Patel has a Bachelor of Science degree in aviation business administration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.