Susan M. Baer (August 25, 1950 – August 9, 2016) was an American public servant who achieved several notable firsts. She was the first person to run all three major New York City airports and, in turn, the first woman to manage each of them.[1][2] She was also the first female aviation director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey;[1] and the first woman to manage the Lincoln Tunnel.[1]
Susan M. Baer | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 25, 1950 Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | August 9, 2016 (aged 65) Montclair, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation | Transportation Executive |
| Spouse | Joseph Martella |
| Children | 3 |
Baer was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, on August 25, 1950.[1] She obtained a BA in urban studies and anthropology from Barnard College in 1972 and an MA in business from New York University.[1]
Baer began working for the Port Authority as a management analyst in 1976 and eventually managed LaGuardia Airport (1994–1998), Newark Liberty International Airport (–2007), and John F. Kennedy International Airport (–2008).[1] She was appointed the authority's aviation director in 2009 by Christopher O. Ward.[1]
In 2013, she joined Arup.[1] Arup promoted her to the role of "Global Aviation Business Leader" in February 2016.[3] She was also Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of Vaughn College.[4]
She died on August 9, 2016, from cancer, and was survived by her husband, Joseph Martella and their three children.[5][1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i Roberts, Sam (12 August 2016). "Susan M. Baer, Transportation Pioneer Who Ran New York's Airports, Dies at 65". The New York Times. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
- ^ "A Message from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey on the Life and Career of Susan Baer" (PDF). Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. August 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
- ^ "Susan Baer named Global Aviation Business Leader". Arup. February 24, 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
- ^ DeVivo, Sharon B. (11 August 2016). "Vaughn Community Mourns the Loss of Trustee Susan M. Baer – Vaughn College of Aeronautic Engineering, Aviation, and Technology". Retrieved 15 August 2016.
- ^ Riegler, Paul (13 August 2016). "Aviation Pioneer and Innovator Susan M. Baer, 65, Dies, Broke Glass Ceiling at New York's Airports". Frequent Business Traveler. Retrieved 15 August 2016.