Cris Jensen

Cris Jensen, A.A.E., is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority, appointed to the permanent role in July 2026 after serving as Interim President and CEO. He oversees all airport operations at Reno-Tahoe International Airport and Reno-Stead Airport in Nevada, and brings more than three decades of airport management experience.

Jensen began his aviation career at Reno-Tahoe International Airport in 1992 as an Airport Operations Officer. In 1997 he joined Elko Regional Airport, where he spent nearly eight years as Airport Director. He then served as Airport Director of Missoula International Airport in Montana for almost 16 years before returning to the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority in 2021. He is an Accredited Airport Executive, a certification of the American Association of Airport Executives.

Career History

• President and Chief Executive Officer, Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority (2026 to present; Interim from 2025)
• Senior leadership, Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority (2021 to 2026)
• Airport Director, Missoula International Airport (approximately 2005 to 2021)
• Airport Director, Elko Regional Airport (1997 to approximately 2005)
• Airport Operations Officer, Reno-Tahoe International Airport (1992 to 1997)

He earned a bachelor's degree in Aviation Studies from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

What Cris Jensen brings to the President and CEO role at the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority: a full career arc in airport operations and leadership, including long tenures running two regional airports, applied to growing air service for a fast expanding Nevada market.