Danny W. Murphy, who has held high-level management positions in four different city departments, was appointed aviation director today by City Manager Frank Fairbanks.

He has served as acting director of the department for the past year.

A 24-year management employee of the city, Murphy will direct a department with more than 850 employees, a budget of $197 million and an ongoing capital improvement program of $3 billion.

He also will manage Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, which is among the top 10 airports in the United States, with 31,000 employees and 41 million passengers each year, and the city’s two other general aviation airports, Phoenix Goodyear and Phoenix Deer Valley.

The capital improvement program includes numerous projects at Sky Harbor, including an automated train which will connect with a regional light rail system and transport passengers between the terminals, parking facilities and Rental Car Center. The airport also is planning airfield and roadway improvements, airport facility rehabilitation and maintenance and, as demand warrants, also plans to build a new concourse at Terminal 4 and a new 33-gate terminal on the west side of Sky Harbor Airport.

“The Aviation Department has an extremely strong management team and I am confident that under Danny’s leadership they will provide the residents of Phoenix and all airport customers with one of the world’s best aviation systems,” said Fairbanks.

Murphy began his career with the city of Phoenix in 1983 and served as head of the city’s Information Technology Department as well as Acting Water Services Director before being appointed Acting Aviation Director last June. That appointment came after Aviation Director David Krietor was named a Deputy City Manager.

Murphy earned a Bachelor of Science degree and master’s degree from the University of Louisiana at Monroe, and completed the Harvard University program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government. He participates in many professional organizations such as the American Association of Airport Executives and Airports Council International – North America.