LAWA Executive Director Appointed to USC Board of Trustees
Lydia H. Kennard, who became executive director of Los Angeles World Airports in October 2005 after previously holding the position from 1999 to 2003, has been elected to the University of Southern California Board of Trustees.
As LAWA executive director, Kennard manages four Los Angeles-area airports — Los Angeles International, Ontario International, Palmdale Regional and Van Nuys — overseeing more than 2,900 employees and administering an annual budget of $952 million.
“We are delighted that Lydia Kennard has agreed to join the USC Board of Trustees,” said President Steven B. Sample in announcing her election. “She has a long and distinguished career in construction, real estate, urban planning and public service. Her experience in these areas will bring strength to our board as we plan the future of our university.”
In the aftermath of Sept. 11, Kennard faced the challenge of overseeing the world’s largest origin and destination airport, LAX, and the world’s busiest general aviation airport, Van Nuys Airport. Under her guidance, LAX subsequently became the nation’s only large airport to screen all checked baggage by the Dec. 31, 2003 congressional deadline. LAWA’s post-9/11 financial strategy earned the highest rating ever given to a U.S. airport authority, with an AA bond rating from both Standard and Poor’s and Moody’s.
Kennard began her distinguished professional career in 1980 when she became the founding president of KDG Development Construction Consulting, a firm specializing in construction management for both private- and public-sector clients.
She began her tenure at Los Angeles World Airports in 1994 as deputy executive director of planning, facilities and engineering. Kennard was promoted to LAWA executive director in 1999. She returned to KDG as chairman in 2004, then rejoined LAWA in October 2005 at the request of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
Kennard first entered public service in 1991 when she joined the Los Angeles Planning Commission. During her legal career, she was an associate lawyer with a firm specializing in real estate and construction law.
Kennard is a member of the boards of directors of IndyMac Bank, UNOVA Corp., AMB Properties Corp. and the UniHealth Foundation. In August 2004, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed her to the California Air Resources Board.
Kennard received a bachelor’s degree from Stanford University, a master’s degree in city planning from MIT and a law degree from Harvard University. She and her family live in Southern California.
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Contact: James Grant, 213-740-6156 or james.grant@usc.edu
