Jay DeWitt, a 28-year professional with the City of Phoenix, has been named Assistant Director/Chief Development Officer for the City of Phoenix Aviation Department. Roxann Favors, a leader with nearly 20 years of management experience at the City of Phoenix, has been named Assistant Director/Chief Revenue Officer.
The Aviation Department owns and operates Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Phoenix Deer Valley Airport and Phoenix Goodyear Airport.
DeWitt is a Phoenix native, whose career has spanned Municipal Court, Fire, Development Services, Community and Economic Development and for the past 15 years, the Aviation Department. He has extensive experience in the areas of accounting, infrastructure finance, project management, and Airport finance. DeWitt led the programming, financing, as well as the design and construction of the 1,000-room Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel, and the development of the $1.6 Billion PHX Sky Train project. He has held senior positions at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in Planning, Design and Construction, Business and Properties, and since August 2021 has been the Acting Assistant Aviation Director. DeWitt has Bachelor of Science and MBA degrees from Arizona State University and is a Certified Member of the American Association of Airport Executives.
“Jay has led some of the highest profile construction projects in the city of Phoenix and most recently, was essential in helping to lead Sky Harbor through the COVID-19 pandemic, the most difficult financial period in the history of aviation,” said Director of Aviation Services, Chad Makovsky. “After a national search, I am confident that he is the Chief Development Officer we need for the continued growth and success of the Phoenix Airport System.”
As Chief Development Officer, DeWitt will oversee the Planning and Environmental, Design and Construction Services, and Financial Management divisions at the City of Phoenix Aviation Department. His promotion is effective immediately, although his organizational responsibilities will not be effective until September 5.
“We are fortune to have Jay on the Executive Team at the City of Phoenix Aviation Department,” said Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua. “With Phoenix Sky Harbor among the top ten U.S. Airports for passenger traffic, Jay’s leadership will be essential in ensuring we continue to offer our millions of customers a world class airport experience.”
Favors began her career with the City of Phoenix in 2003, in the City’s Management Internship Program. She was then promoted to the Aviation Department’s Business and Properties Division where she held management positions for the next 11 years, including five years as Deputy Aviation Director. In 2015, Favors was selected as the City of Phoenix Major Events Administrator. She has been instrumental in some of the highest-profile events the city of Phoenix has hosted, including the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four, 2017 Lost Lake Music and Arts Festival, and the annual M3F Music Festival. And with her leadership, Phoenix successfully bid for and won the opportunity to host Super Bowl LVII and will have the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four and NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four coming to town in the next several years.
“We are fortunate to have Roxann returning to join the Executive Team at the Aviation Department,” said Chad Makovsky, Director of Aviation Services. “After a national search, it was clear that with Roxann’s knowledge and skills, she is the Chief Revenue Officer we need as we continue to grow our operations and enhance the customer experience.”
As Chief Revenue Officer, Favors will oversee Business and Properties, Contracts and Services, Technology, and Air Service Development. She will join the Aviation Department in early September. “Roxann is a proven leader at the City of Phoenix, and I am excited to see her joining the Executive Team at the Phoenix Aviation Department,” said Deputy City Manager, Mario Paniagua. “As a selfsustaining enterprise and the state’s number one economic engine, Sky Harbor needs an experienced Chief Revenue Officer like Roxann to guide its business operations into the future.”
