Chris White named President & CEO of Columbia Metropolitan Airport
December 8, 2025
Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) announced that Chris White, A.A.E. has been named President & CEO, effective January 5, 2026.
“It’s a privilege to be chosen to serve as President and CEO of CAE,” said White. “Columbia Metropolitan Airport is a vital gateway for the Midlands and South Carolina, and I’m excited to help it grow in ways that support our economy and improve quality of life across the region. Columbia has strong momentum, and the airport should reflect that through thoughtful, customer-focused service and dependable community partnerships. I look forward to building on the airport’s progress, working collaboratively, and expanding air service and convenience for travelers. I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead this work and to become part of the Columbia community.”
White, who has more than 30 years of experience in supporting commercial service airports navigate growth, modernization and stakeholder collaboration, joins the CAE team after serving as Chief Operating Officer at the Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport Authority, where he oversaw airport operations, marketing, air service development and a record-setting capital program – supporting passenger growth and securing competitive grants to advance critical infrastructure.
Prior to that role, White spent 14 years as Airport Director at Albert J. Ellis Airport in Jacksonville, North Carolina. During this tenure, the airport achieved more than 50% enplanement growth, increased operating revenue and delivered more than $100 million in terminal, hangar and airfield improvements with minimal debt.
“After an extensive search process, we are confident that Mr. White is the ideal executive leader to usher CAE into a bright and successful future,” said Anton Gunn, Chair of CAE’s Commission and chair of the search committee. “The board and airport senior leadership feel strongly that Mr. White’s past leadership experience, vast aviation knowledge and proven ability to drive results will help the airport continue to thrive and further grow its impact across the region.”
Chris holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and a B.S. in Aerospace Administration from Middle Tennessee State University. An Accredited Airport Executive and private pilot with an instrument rating, he is known for a collaborative, steady approach centered on customer experience, sustainability, and positioning airports as drivers of regional economic growth.
Columbia Metropolitan Airport partnered with ACS Firm to conduct the search. ACS is a high-quality executive search and organizational development consultancy for the aviation, transportation and municipal government sectors based in Chicago, IL.
About Columbia Metropolitan Airport
Now providing 33+ daily flights with nonstop service to 11 major airports in 10 cities including Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, New York City (LGA), Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. (Dulles and Reagan National), Orlando (SFB), and Fort Lauderdale. Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE), a two-time Global Biorisk Advisory Council® (GBAC) STAR™ accredited facility, that continues to be a major economic driver for the Midlands region. Welcoming over 1.3 million passengers in 2024, CAE is served by American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Allegiant Air and serves as a regional cargo hub for UPS and served by cargo carrier, FedEx.
