Council confirms new aviation general manager and watershed commissioner

The Atlanta City Council voted to confirm two senior executive appointments in a Committee of the Whole session held during the May 19 meeting.

Ricky Smith was confirmed as aviation general manager by a council vote recorded as 14 ayes, 0 nays. Smith told the council, “it is truly an honor to be here,” and thanked Mayor Andre Dickens and Department of Aviation staff. He said he has been meeting with council members and promised to work with the airport team to advance operations and resilience.

James Eyerly was confirmed as commissioner of the Department of Watershed Management by a council vote recorded as 14 ayes, 0 nays. Eyerly said, “I promise, in my tenure here as commissioner, if I'm so voted in that, I will tell you a %, transparency, what I believe is the right course ahead and give you my just honest opinion.” He emphasized the department’s mission to protect public health and cited the scale of billing operations as a challenge for accuracy.

Why it matters: The aviation general manager oversees Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport — the city’s largest revenue and transportation asset — while the watershed commissioner manages drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services affecting residents and businesses. Council confirmations place both nominees in roles that could shape infrastructure, service delivery and capital projects in the coming months.

Neither confirmation included changes to policy or budget during the meeting; both were approvals of mayoral appointments following the committee process. Newly confirmed officials committed to ongoing communication with the council and to improving operational performance in their respective departments.