Mayor Kasim Reed discussed the dismissal of two high-ranking city officials on May 20 during a press conference Monday morning.
“The decisions we made together Friday are about the future,” Reed said. The Mayor would not go into detail regarding the decision to terminate Department of Watershed Management head JoAnn Macrina (photo above) and Hartsfield-Jackson Airport general manager Miguel Southwell.
“I would like to thank JoAnn Macrina for her work on behalf of the residents of Atlanta and I wish her well moving forward in her career,” said Mayor Reed. “The Department of Watershed Management provides critical services to Atlanta residents and businesses, and I will ensure that it has effective leadership who will deliver operational excellence.”
Southwell was given a similar send-off.
“I want to thank Mr. Southwell for his service to the City of Atlanta and the travelers at the world’s busiest passenger airport,” said Mayor Kasim Reed.
“Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport serves as our city’s and region’s dominant economic generator, and as such, I am committed to achieving maximum operational efficiencies and the highest level of customer service possible. I wish Mr. Southwell the best in the next chapter of his career.”
Though Reed declined to get into specifics of Southwell’s termination, the world’s busiest airport is on the precipice of two very important developments: the airport is experiencing some of the longest lines in its history due to renovations; also the airport is about to begin on a multi-billion dollar expansion and addition of another runway.
The mayor said he will meet with Atlanta City Council members and give them a briefing on his decisions and how his administration will move forward. Roosevelt Council, Jr. has been named as interim general manager at the airport, while William Johnson, previously the city’s chief operating officer, is interim director of Watershed Management.