Leadership

Chris Crist

Airport Deputy General Manager, Sr. | Chief Technology Officer

 

Chris Crist is the Chief Information Officer for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world’s busiest airport. In this role, he leads enterprise technology, cybersecurity, data platforms, engineering, and digital innovation supporting more than 300,000 daily passenger connections and over 140,000 permanently deployed devices across one of the most complex transportation environments in the world.

Under Chris’s leadership, the airport has undergone a significant technology transformation. He reorganized the IT organization into specialized divisions spanning cybersecurity, data, engineering, and operations, implemented DevSecOps practices, and redesigned technology workflows that reduced delivery timelines from 344 days to 20 days. His team has also led major digital modernization initiatives, including biometric passenger processing systems that reduced boarding times by 75 percent and employee screening times by 60 percent while strengthening operational resilience and passenger experience.

Chris is widely recognized as a leader in the global aviation technology community. He co-founded the Airports AI Alliance with the Cities Today Institute and works closely with airport leadership around the world on technology strategy, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation. He frequently advises CIOs across North America and internationally on organizational design, data platforms, and emerging technologies. Chris also serves on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Airport Management.

Prior to joining Hartsfield-Jackson, Chris served as Chief of Enterprise Transformation and DevSecOps for U.S. Transportation Command, where he led enterprise-scale modernization initiatives and helped establish data platforms integrating dozens of mission systems across the Department of Defense transportation enterprise.
Chris began his career in the United States Air Force, serving as a combat medic before transitioning into technology leadership. He continues to serve in the Air Force Reserve as a Special Projects Officer supporting advanced digital initiatives.

Chris holds a Doctor of Education in Leadership and Learning in Organizations from Vanderbilt University, an MBA with an IT emphasis, and a bachelor’s degree in software engineering. He is the recipient of the CIO of the Year ORBIE Award.