RELEASE – Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority Announces Leadership Transition

After More Than Five Years, Daren Griffin, President/CEO, Will Become President/CEO of the Columbus Regional Airport Authority

RENO, Nev. (Dec. 16, 2025) – The Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority (RTAA) announced today that Daren Griffin, President/CEO, has accepted a position as President/CEO of the Columbus Regional Airport Authority. His last day is January 31, 2026.  

“For the last five years, Daren brought energy, thoughtfulness and a strong sense of purpose to the RTAA,” said RTAA board chairperson Shaun Carey. “On behalf of the entire Board of Trustees, I want to thank him for his leadership and wish him the very best in the next phase of his professional journey.” 

As part of the succession process, the RTAA Board of Trustees will meet soon to appoint an interim CEO to lead the organization while a permanent successor is identified.  

“Being part of the RTAA team and the broader Reno-Tahoe community has been incredibly rewarding,” Griffin said. “This decision was not easy to make – my family has truly loved building a life here, but this opportunity prompted some meaningful reflection about what I want in the next chapter of my career and it was one I couldn’t pass up.” 

Griffin joined the RTAA on August 3, 2020 from the Port of Portland where he worked from 2004-2020. Over the past five years, Griffin has led the RTAA through significant change, including becoming one of the fastest airports to return to pre-pandemic passenger counts, launching the $1+ billion MoreRNO Infrastructure Program and overseeing the organization’s rise to record-breaking passenger volume. 

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The Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority (RTAA) operates two of the most important economic drivers for our region–the Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) and the Reno-Stead Airport (RTS). The RTAA is financially self-sufficient, meaning it is funded through airport operations and not state or local taxes. Eleven airlines serve RNO, flying to multiple nonstop destinations throughout the United States and Mexico. For more details, visit www.renoairport.com.