Jim Szczesniak (says-knee-ak) is the Airport Director at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC).  He is the executive in charge of day-to-day operations of the sixth busiest air cargo airport in the world that was recently rated the best air cargo airport in North America.  The Anchorage airport processes 2.8 million tons of cargo per year, is the strategic link between Asia and the Americas, and a base of operations for all three of the major integrators, UPS, FedEx, and DHL.  The Anchorage airport is also the hub for Alaskan aviation and welcomes more than five million passengers per year.  The Anchorage airport a key economic engine to Alaska providing $1.8 billion in annual economic impacts and is responsible for 1 in 10 jobs in the Anchorage area.  He also oversees the world’s busiest seaplane base, Lake Hood, which is located next to the airport.  

Prior to his position in Anchorage, Mr. Szczesniak was Deputy Commissioner of Aviation for the Chicago O’Hare and Midway International Airports. 

Mr. Szcznesiak holds a MBA from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor’s in aviation management from Southern Illinois University.  He is also a licensed commercial pilot and aircraft mechanic.