Indy airport boss remains on list for Atlanta job

Atlanta officials have made their pick for a new airport general manager, but it’s still unknown whether the leader of Indianapolis’ airport has been tapped for the position.

John Clark III, executive director of the Indianapolis Airport Authority, is one of three finalists for the top position at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which ranks as the world's busiest airport.

On Wednesday, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed had chosen the winning candidate, but wouldn’t reveal the selection.

A spokeswoman from the Atlanta mayor’s office did not respond to an e-mail inquiring when an announcement would be made, and Clark did not return a phone call.

Clark is up against Louis Miller, former executive director and CEO of Tampa International Airport, and Lester Robinson, who managed Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport and Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti, Mich., until June, according to the newspaper.

Clark started with the Indianapolis airport in April 2009 after working for Jacksonville’s airport authority for 14 years.

In Jacksonville, he was credited with improving the city’s airport system and has earned praise from airport officials in Indianapolis for his strategic planning.

But he’s also been criticized for his lavish travel spending, which was documented by Folio Weekly, Jacksonville’s alternative newspaper. He is being investigated by Florida State Attorney Angela Corey, who has declined to elaborate on the nature of her inquiry.

In his first year on the job in Indianapolis, Clark spent $36,693 on travel and lodging, IBJ reported earlier this year.

That included a $6,025 trip to attend the Airports Council International conference last year in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia.