PHILADELPHIA – Mayor Jim Kenney announced today that, with Rochelle “Chellie” Cameron’s departure from the City, Keith Brune will become Acting CEO of the Division of Aviation, which includes Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE). A national search will be conducted to identify a permanent successor. Earlier on Thursday, the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia announced that Cameron would become the organization’s next President and CEO. Her last day with the City of Philadelphia will be June 24, 2022.
“I want to thank Chellie Cameron for her service to the City of Philadelphia, and for her leadership in helping transform Philadelphia International Airport into a major economic driver for the city and region, helping to support thousands of jobs,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “I am especially grateful for her critical contributions as a national leader in the travel and tourism industry, a consummate convener, and a strategic problem-solver, especially over the last two years when the pandemic wreaked havoc over the travel industry. I’m proud that Chellie has built a solid foundation for PHL’s continued resurgence as we recover and rebound from the pandemic, and I look forward to working with her in her new capacity as President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia. I’m also confident that, with his extensive experience in the industry, Keith Brune will provide critical interim leadership until a permanent candidate is chosen.”
Cameron began her leadership tenure at PHL in 2011 when she was named Deputy Director of Aviation, Finance and Administration. She became Chief Operating Officer in 2014 and, in 2016, she was named CEO. Cameron was responsible for overseeing the planning, development and administration of all activities for the City’s Division of Aviation, and was the City’s representative in local, state, national and international aviation affairs.
During her tenure as CEO, Cameron led the charge to position the airport as a world class global gateway of choice for the city and the surrounding region. She has fostered partnerships and worked with stakeholders to provide passengers with a safe, secure, clean, modern and convenient air travel experience. In her more than ten years with PHL, she has helped the airport become an economic engine that generates billions of dollars annually, and supports more than 100,000 jobs for the 11-county Philadelphia Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Over the years, Cameron has worked with airline partners to expand air service to exciting destinations both domestic and international, and welcomed needed renovations and additions to the airport complex and the airfield. She also helped spearhead PHL’s Cargo Expansion Strategy, which will nearly triple its air cargo facility footprint, establish Philadelphia as a logistics center, drive the creation of thousands of new jobs and support the growing regional demand for air cargo and logistics in and around the airport. Cameron has been recognized with numerous awards for her contributions and leadership in the Philadelphia region, to the aviation industry and to veterans.
“It has been an honor to be a member of the City of Philadelphia’s Division of Aviation for the past 11 years. I want to thank Mayor Kenney for giving me the privilege of serving as the airport’s CEO,” said Chellie Cameron. “I am incredibly proud of our accomplishments, especially over the past two years as a global pandemic devastated the aviation industry. The airport team is comprised of many talented and innovative people, and I am confident our travelers are in good hands with Keith. I fell in love with Philadelphia when I moved here in 2011—this is my home. I am excited to continue to serve the city and region’s people, businesses and industries with the Chamber of Commerce. Thank you to Rob Wonderling for his many successful years of service to the Chamber. I can’t wait to build upon and grow the programs and relationships that were established during his tenure.”
Keith Brune has been Chief Operating Officer for the City of Philadelphia Division of Aviation since October 2017. In his current role, Brune oversees all day-to-day operations of PHL and PNE, including landside and airside operations, security and maintenance of terminals and facilities, and capital development.
Brune joined the Division of Aviation in 1991 as an Airport Operations Officer and has held various positions, including Airport Operations Superintendent, Acting Facilities Maintenance Manager, Airport Operations Manager, and Deputy Director of Aviation, Operations and Facilities.
Brune holds both a Bachelor’s of Science degree and a Master’s of Aeronautical Science degrees from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and is an Accredited Airport Executive (“A.A.E”). Additionally, Brune served ten years with the United States Air Force, and is a former adjunct instructor of aviation at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Drexel University.
Brune currently serves as Vice President of the Aviation Council of Pennsylvania and is a member of the Board of Directors for the Delaware County (PA) Transportation Management Association. He was appointed to and currently serves on the Governor’s Aviation Advisory Committee and is a member of several committees for both American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) and Airports Council International (ACI).
A headshot for Chellie Cameron is available for download online.
A headshot for Keith Brune is available for download online.