Wimsatt was selected for this position following an exceptionally competitive process. Reporting directly to the director of airports, Cindy Nichol, Chris Wimsatt will play a key leadership role in driving SCDA’s vision for serving airport customers and the community and ensuring the continued excellence of all four airports.
"Chris has proven himself to be an exceptional leader and visionary in the aviation industry,” said Nichol. “His ability to navigate complex financial challenges and implement innovative strategies has positioned our airports for long-term success. I am thrilled to see Chris step into this new role, where his expertise and dedication will continue to elevate our operations and customer experience."
Wimsatt’s track record and leadership within the aviation industry make him uniquely qualified for this role, the department said. Since joining SCDA in August 2021 as deputy director of finance and administration, he has led numerous groundbreaking initiatives, including: success-fully completing the airport’s first new-money bond deal in more than 12 years; spearheading the financing strategies for SMForward, a $1.3bn capital improvement programme consisting of seven transformative projects; and transitioning Sacramento International Airport to an alternate customer facility charge (CFC) collection model, increasing monthly collections by nearly $800,000.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Wimsatt has received several honours, including being named 2024 Medium-Hub Airport Finance Professional of the Year by Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) and 2023 Rising Star by The Bond Buyer.
"I am deeply honoured to take on this new role and to continue serving SCDA,” Wimsatt said. “I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished as a team, and I’m excited to build on this momentum to ensure our airports remain leaders in innovation, service, and community impact."
Before joining SCDA, Wimsatt served as chief financial officer for the Dayton Department of Aviation in Dayton, Ohio, overseeing Dayton International Airport and a general aviation air-port. His earlier experience includes roles in Dayton’s Office of Management and Budget, as well as in finance and banking with Westminster Financial Securities and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney.
