Port of Seattle Executive Director Steve Metruck announced today that Wendy Reiter has been selected as the new Managing Director of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), effective January 7, 2026. A veteran leader at SEA and longtime partner to key federal aviation agencies, Reiter currently leads Security, Fire, and Emergency Preparedness for SEA. Over the last 35 years she has held key management roles with airports and airlines in Seattle and in the Midwest.
“Wendy Reiter brings an exceptional combination of leadership, industry knowledge, and genuine commitment to the people who work at, live near, and rely upon SEA,” said Executive Director Steve Metruck. “Reiter will guide a leadership team tasked with completing our current Upgrade SEA program, in time for the FIFA World Cup. She will also be responsible for launching a new phase of development on our airport master plan and continuing to pursue excellence in our service and our facilities to ensure a safe and accessible travel experience for all.”
“The SEA community of workers, partners, and neighbors has been my highest priority for 20 years,” said Reiter. “We have a great responsibility to our community to meet the aviation demand in the region through excellent service, improved sustainability, and with an eye toward continually expanding opportunities equitably. Our leadership team and employees are ready to meet these challenges, and I am honored by the opportunity to lead SEA.”
Reiter steps into the role as SEA turns its efforts from upgrading existing facilities toward a vision for the future. She will lead a division of 1,200 direct employees. SEA is the 11th busiest airport in North America by passenger volume and among its best connected in terms of service. In its 2026 budget, the Commission authorized the Aviation Division 2026–2030 capital plan at $3.75 billion, with $847 million in spending expected in 2026.
As SEA returns to pre-pandemic record-breaking passenger volumes, achieving all of the Aviation Division’s goals requires strategic planning and strong coordination with partners and the community.
The airport is the Port of Seattle’s largest line of business, with hundreds of private employers with as many as 24,000 employees working at SEA. The airport supported nearly 175,000 regional jobs in 2023, worth $10.5 billion in wages and benefits and $33.3 billion in business output.
The Managing Director for SEA also plays a critical role in the community by representing the Port in community dialogue through groups, including as the chair for the SEA Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (START) and as a representative on the Highline Forum.
