Lester Nelson, the Chief Executive Officer of the Bermuda Airport Authority for the past 9 years will retire 1 October 2026
The Bermuda Airport Authority has announced that Chief Executive Officer Lester Nelson will retire effective 1 October 2026, after more than nine years of leadership.
According to the Authority, Mr Nelson joined in March 2017 as its first employee. The Authority replaced the Department of Airport Operations, where he previously worked as Manager of Air Operations for eight years.
As the Authority’s first CEO, he led its establishment during a significant period of change in Bermuda’s aviation sector.
Airport Authority Chairman Lawrence Scott thanked Mr Nelson for his contribution to the organisation and Bermuda’s aviation sector.
Mr Scott said: “Lester led Bermuda Airport Authority through its start-up and formative years during a significant period of growth and development. On behalf of the Board, I thank him for his leadership and service and wish him a very well-deserved retirement.”
During his time in the role, Mr Nelson oversaw the Authority’s participation in the 30-year public-private partnership with Bermuda Skyport Corporation Limited and the $400 million redevelopment of L.F. Wade International Airport.
He also led the insourcing of air navigation and weather services, and oversaw the installation of strategic assets including the Instrument Landing System, Automated Weather Observation System and Doppler Weather Radar.
The Authority said Mr Nelson led the organisation through the operational challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reflecting on his tenure, Mr Nelson said: “I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to lead Bermuda Airport Authority from its earliest days and to see how much the organisation has developed. I thank our strategic partners for their support and, most importantly, our team whose commitment to safety and operational excellence has made that progress possible.”
The Authority said its Board will complete its search for a substantive CEO. It remains focused on the safe, efficient and resilient delivery of Bermuda’s aviation and weather services.
Media release supplied by the Bermuda Airport Authority.
