Steven Baker named executive director of Clinton National Airport

The Little Rock Municipal Airport Commission appointed Steven C. Baker as the new executive director of Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT), effective Aug. 6.

The airport commission unanimously approved Baker’s hiring last month, and his contract has been finalized with an annual base salary of $275,000 plus benefits, according to a press release shared Friday (July 12).

Baker succeeds Bryan Malinowski, who was killed by federal ATF agents in a home raid on March 19 in Little Rock.

Baker brings nearly 40 years of airline, real estate, and airport leadership experience to the role. During his most recent 18-year tenure as an executive at the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, he oversaw airline affairs, procurement, risk management, small business development, administrative services, concessions, real estate development, and revenue innovation for Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport.

Baker began his career at United Airlines, working at its Chicago O’Hare International Airport Hub. Subsequently, he joined American Airlines and was responsible for leading the legal and financial team in developing Chicago’s first international terminal.

He later was deputy general manager at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and deputy aviation director for the Miami-Dade Aviation Department, which manages Miami International Airport and five general aviation airports.

He holds a juris doctor from the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, a master’s degree in business administration from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Cornell University.

“We are delighted to have Steve join us as the new executive director of Clinton National Airport,” Bill Walker, chairman of the Little Rock Municipal Airport Commission, said. “His exceptional experience and leadership will be essential as we work with staff to expand the airport and build on the successes of our previous executive director.”

“I am excited to serve as the next executive director of Clinton National Airport, and I appreciate the commission’s confidence in me,” Baker said. “I look forward to working collaboratively with the commission, the airport team, and the Little Rock community to advance the airport’s role as a leading transportation hub and a key economic engine for the state of Arkansas.”

The Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport is Arkansas’ largest commercial service airport, with more than 2 million passengers annually. Little Rock’s airport hosts six airlines with dozens of daily departures and nonstop service to 17 destinations.