Terry Blue will be the next president and CEO of the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority.

The MSCAA Board of Commissioners selected Blue, currently the executive vice president of operations and chief operating officer for the airport authority, to succeed Scott Brockman, who retires at the end of the year.

Board President Michael Keeney said the board understands the importance of the job the president and CEO plays.

“We engaged in extensive discussion and utilized a third-party firm to evaluate potential candidates, and Terry Blue clearly emerged as the ideal person to lead the Airport Authority. The board and our recruiting firm felt that he was the optimal candidate based on his combination of overall aviation and airport management experience, industry leadership, and his extensive familiarity with our airport’s operations," he said in a statement.

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Blue has been working with MSCAA since 2015 and previously held leadership and management positions at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport and Denver International Airport.

"When we took investors to Nashville earlier this year, Terry Blue was there beside us, advocating for Memphis every step of the way," said Ted Townsend, Greater Memphis Chamber president and CEO. "He is a phenomenal leader and air service champion, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration to bring new flights and opportunities to Memphis. The incredible legacy of our Chairman's Circle investor Scott Brockman is in safe hands."

In his time in Memphis, Blue has worked on projects including the modernization of the B concourse and construction of the new Centralized Deicing Facility.

“On behalf of the MSCAA Board, I also want to extend our sincere appreciation to Scott Brockman for his extraordinary leadership during his tenure as president and CEO," Keeney said. "Scott leaves big shoes to fill but has provided a sound blueprint for success for Terry and the MSCAA team.”

Corinne S Kennedy covers economic development, real estate and healthcare for The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached via email at Corinne.Kennedy@CommercialAppeal.com

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis International Airport: Terry Blue named next president, CEO