Avports, the longest continuously operating airport management company in the United States, announced a strategic leadership transition. Marc Ricks, a veteran in infrastructure and real estate development and operations executive, will join Avports as CEO, bringing more than two decades of experience in infrastructure, real estate, operations, and public-private alignment to the company. Ricks most recently served as CEO of ShopCore Properties, a Blackstone portfolio company and vertically integrated retail real estate operator overseeing more than 15 million square feet nationwide.
“Marc is uniquely equipped to lead Avports into its next phase of growth, and we are excited to begin this next chapter under his leadership” said Teresa Mattamouros, Member of the Avports Board of Directors. “Marc understands what it takes to build and deliver complex infrastructure with public partners and diverse stakeholders. His background makes him distinctively suited to guide Avports’ dual mission: delivering major capital projects with public partners while focusing on operational excellence.”
In addition to his tenure at ShopCore Properties, Ricks previously held senior roles at Vornado Realty Trust, where he led major urban redevelopment initiatives in New York City — including work on the expansion of New York Penn Station into the former Farley Post Office building, now the Moynihan Train Hall. Ricks’ efforts also involved the modernization and strategic repositioning of surrounding commercial properties to support a long-term vision for a revitalized transit district. Earlier in his career, in the New York City Mayor’s Office, Ricks played a key role in advancing large-scale infrastructure and real estate efforts such as the Hudson Yards rezoning and the 7 Line subway extension.
Ricks will succeed Jorge Roberts, who led Avports for more than six years and oversaw a significant expansion of the company’s national footprint, reinforcing Avports’ reputation as a pioneer in airport public-private partnerships (P3s) for regional airports.
Continued Mattamouros, “I want to thank Jorge for his years of strong leadership at Avports. During his tenure, Avports built new industry models to become a leader in the airport infrastructure development market, while also ensuring our O&M clients continued to receive the high-touch, performance-driven partnership they’ve relied on for decades.”
The leadership transition comes at a time of strong momentum for Avports, marked by recent successes such as the industry-first privatized developments at Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN) and Manassas Regional Airport (HEF). The company has also strengthened
its operational and financial capabilities, building on a legacy of trusted Operations & Management (O&M) services, both across the United States and recently into the Caribbean.