Shannetta R. Griffin, P.E., was appointed Associate Administrator of Airports for the Federal Aviation Administration on June 7, 2021, by U.S. President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. Griffin has more than 35 years of experience as a professional engineer and small business advocate within the private and public sectors of the transportation industry with an emphasis on aviation. She is a leader with expertise in operational performance, project engineering and client relationship management.

She leads a team of more than 600 employees around the country and manages an annual budget of $3.35 billion, which includes an operating budget of about $112 million. She is responsible for the Airport Improvement Program grants, which total around $8 billion annually, as well as two major research programs. She is also responsible for administering national airport safety and standards, planning, engineering, environmental processing, financial assistance and compliance programs for more than 3,300 public-use airports nationwide.

Prior to joining the FAA, Griffin served as the Chief Commercial Officer for the Columbus Regional Airport Authority. She managed the authority’s revenue generation from parking and ground transportation, air service development, concessions, land development, real estate and cargo development.

Griffin has been responsible, for multiple capital improvement programs in both the private and public sectors of the aviation industry where she was responsible for billions of dollars and economic growth for commercial revenue with concessions, car rentals, airlines, cargo and land development. Her advocacy efforts are exemplified through her participation in many professional and social organizations. She is a past Chair of the Airport Council International- North America Business Diversity Committee and has shared her expertise and leadership through involvement with many distinguished groups including the Airport Minority Advisory Council, the American Association of Airport Executives, Indiana Aviation Association, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization, Mayor of Columbus Disparity Study Business Advisory Committee, the Metropolitan Ohio Regional Planning Commission, the National Forum for Black Public Administrators, the National Society of Black Engineers, Ohio Aviation Association, Professional Society of Civil Engineers, the Society of Women Engineers, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, the University of Toledo College of Engineering Industry Board, The Conference of Minority Transportation Officials and WTS International.

Griffin has received numerous professional accolades and awards by transportation and civic organizations to include Woman in Aviation Excellence – Legacy Award by the Airport Minority Advisory Council, Women Who Move the Nation by the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials, Distinguished Alumni by the University of Toledo College of Civil Engineering, Corporate Professional of the Year by the National Forum for Black Public Administrators, and Achievement in Business and Industry Award by the Indianapolis Center for Leadership Development and Strathmore Who’s Who.

Griffin received her degree from the University of Toledo and was the first African-American woman to graduate from the College of Civil Engineering.

Shannetta continues to be a trailblazer and model of diversity, equity and inclusion at its best. She is proud to serve not only as the first African American, but the first African-American woman to hold the position of Associate Administrator of Airports.

Shannetta is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.