Jan Lennon

Airport Deputy General Manager, Operations

Jan Lennon is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Deputy General Manager of Operations. She leads the divisions that ensure the safety and security of travelers, employees, and guests, including airport operations, public safety and security, law enforcement, fire, and medical personnel, emergency management, maintenance, transportation, and traffic enforcement. Ms. Lennon is also responsible for operation mitigation plans and security considerations for the airport’s multibillion-dollar capital improvement program, ATLNext.

With more than 25 years of leadership in public safety and security, emergency management, and corrections, Ms. Lennon spearheaded many innovative and successful public safety and security programs at the airport, most notably having created a comprehensive program to mitigate and reduce insider threats across the ATL complex. She also developed and launched Hartsfield-Jackson’s first Human Trafficking Awareness Campaign.

Ms. Lennon represents Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on the Transportation Security Administration’s Aviation Security Advisory SubCommittee. She is active in the security practice areas of the American Association of Airport Executives, Transportation Security Services, Vice Chair, and Airports Council International. In 2016, Ms. Lennon received her International Airport Professional (IAP) certification after successfully

By Towanna Hogue

completing the Global Airport Management Professional Accreditation Programme (AMPAP), which promotes professional excellence in airport management. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice/Security Administration.

What led you to pursue a career in this industry?

Since a child, I have always been fascinated with security and criminal justice. I never set out to be the Deputy General Manager of an airport; however, I always set out to be the best at what I did, be an influential leader, and pursue a career helping others.

What challenges have you experienced as a woman in your role as the Deputy General Manager of Operations?

My outlook on challenges is that they are defined by the individual. What someone else may perceive as a challenge, I typically do not. I consider myself solution-driven. So, when faced with something that may be considered a challenge or an obstacle, for me, it is something I know is solvable and something that I will break through and overcome. I welcome a good challenge. That is why I stay ready in order to defeat them.

How do you remain up to date on new security measures and helpful tools used to help keep travelers, employees, and coworkers safe?

I stay aligned by sitting on national boards that address issues that impact the aviation industry nationally and globally. We discuss solutions, best practices, and recommendations that will impact the safety and security industry for generations to come.

What project or initiative that you have led are you most proud of in your career thus far?

There are many, but if I have to narrow it down, I would have to say my work on the complete overhaul and implementation of our current employee security screening program and initiating the ATL Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention 365 Program.

Another program I must mention, prior to my career in the aviation industry, I worked as a deputy jail warden at a correctional institution. During my time there, I implemented over 40 diverse, successful programs that helped successfully integrate inmates back into the community. The impact of these programs was substantial in reducing the recidivism rate.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest airport in the world. Human trafficking is being reported on the rise in Atlanta. What security protocols does the airport have in place to combat this societal issue?

Our implementation of the ATL Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention 365 Program helped to bolster our work in a more collaborative way. What we did with this program—since we have people from all over the world traveling through our airport—we allowed our airport to serve as a global conduit to educate the masses about this critical issue. This includes training our staff about the indicators of human trafficking and what they should look out for. Stakeholder engagement, where we go out to the schools and educate our youth and members of our community. Activating the media through press conferences and using our marketing collateral to get the word out. We recently held a series of elected officials roundtables where we work with our legislators and practitioners to review current legislation and determine if laws need strengthening, revising, and/or amplifying.

How do you handle stress and pressure, especially after dealing with a crisis at the airport?

When dealing with pressure or stress, I lean on the support of family, friends, and faith. I do not let it consume me. When it is time to deal with a crisis,

I rely on my 9Rs of Emergency Management: Report, Resources, Respond, Rescue, Resolve, Relief, Recover, Record, and Resiliency. This is something that is second nature to me and allows me to work seamlessly in the event of any crisis or emergency.

What accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction and why?

When I leave Hartsfield-Jackson at the end of the day, making sure everyone gets home safely with no loss of life is my greatest satisfaction. That is my No. 1 goal.

Tell me about one security-related situation that had a positive outcome under your leadership.

In 2014, we had an egregious, highly publicized security breach when an airport employee smuggled contraband through the restricted areas cannot be rigid in one way of thinking in this role. Lastly, your integrity and core values must be rock solid. Never compromise your integrity under any circumstances. and onto flights to New York. After an in-depth review, we created a robust employee screening program that has mitigated and deterred this type of insider threat. The Employee Screening Program is the foundation and backbone of our vigorous insider threat program. Today, our Employee Screening Program has proven to be a model to follow across the aviation industry. We continue to evolve and enhance our security posture to ensure a safe and secure community environment for our travelers, employees, and stakeholders.

What do you enjoy most about your current position?

I love the people that I work with. We have an amazing leadership team here at Hartsfield-Jackson, starting with our General Manager Balram “B” Bheodari. My colleagues, and our leadership, are an amazing community of professionals who are actiondriven. I like to say we “stay ready, so we never have to get ready.” That energy makes me truly enjoy coming to work every day.

What advice would you give someone seeking to work in this industry?

One of the most important skills someone must have working in this industry and in a position like mine is the ability to make decisions. You need to be able to make them in different situations, be it impromptu or constructive. You must also be nimble and adaptable. This industry and the conditions of an airport can change by the second, and you