Senior Management
Lester Nelson
Lester Nelson was appointed as the Bermuda Airport Authority’s first Chief Executive Officer in March 2017 where he leads a team of professionals to oversee the operations, management, maintenance and redevelopment of the LF Wade International Airport. The Bermuda Airport Authority is also responsible for delivering air traffic management, weather services and Rescue and Fire Fighting Services and for regulating airport fees and charges.
Mr. Nelson is an active commercial pilot with more than 25 years’ experience in aviation and business management.
Julie Grant
Julie Grant is the Chief Financial Officer of the Bermuda Airport Authority. Appointed in March 2023, she brings 30 years’ experience in finance, accounting, strategic leadership, corporate governance, and risk management.
Mrs. Grant holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy from Birmingham City University. She is an Associate Chartered Management Accountant, (CIMA UK) and a Chartered Public Account (CPA Bermuda). Prior to joining the Authority, Julie served in many leadership positions, including Chief Financial Officer, Ministry Controller and Head of Finance & Administration.
Jamie Sapsford
Jamie Sapsford, Chief Operations Officer is an aviation industry management professional with over 20 years’ experience in regulatory compliance, aviation safety, corporate risk, product and service quality, occupational health, safety and environment, and large contract management. He is a qualified ISO 9000 series lead auditor, private pilot and air traffic contoller.
In 1995, Mr. Sapsford became one of the first local air traffic controllers at the LF Wade International Airport and, in 2001, assumed the role of Air Traffic Control Services Manager.
Tanecia Barnett Burgess
Tanecia Barnett Burgess is Director of Human Resources. She brings more than 10 years’ of HR management experience to Bermuda Airport Authority, aligning HR policies and initiatives with the Airport Authority’s business strategy. Her role is to ensure HR effectively supports the people management functions in order to achieve and maintain a high performance culture, with emphasis on development, empowerment and collaboration.
Michele Bean
Michele Bean, Director, PPP Contract Management is a Certified PPP Professional and Certified Management Consultant with over 20 years’ of experience in project management and consulting in both the local and international business sectors. Her diverse experience spans the energy, financial services and manufacturing industries, as well as the public sector.
Mark Bourne
Mark Bourne, Director Air Navigation Services, has over 20 years' experience in airport operations, regulatory compliance, aviation safety and air traffic control services. He joined the Bermuda Airport Authority in April 2019 and is responsible for managing Air Traffic Control, Air Traffic Engineering and Airport Maintenance Services. Prior to joining the Airport Authority, Mr. Bourne was Contract Manager for CI2 Aviation Bermuda Ltd. at the LF Wade International Airport.
Ari Ming
Ari Ming is the Director, Aerodrome Development and Technical Services for the Bermuda Airport Authority. He oversees technical operations at the new airport passenger terminal building and the effective maintenance of both the new and former airport terminal buildings.
A professional architect, Mr. Ming joined the Airport Authority in 2018 on secondment from the Government of Bermuda’s Ministry of Works and Engineering, serving as Airport Redevelopment Manager.
Michelle Pitcher
Michelle Pitcher is the Director of the Bermuda Weather Service (BWS). Michelle has a BS degree in Ocean Science from Maine Maritime Academy and an MS in Fisheries Science from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
Michelle joined BWS in 2008 as a Meteorological Technician. She was certified as an independent Meteorologist in 2010 and was eventually promoted to Deputy Director of BWS in 2017. In July 2022, Michelle took on the role of Acting Director of BWS and was officially promoted to Director in February 2023.
