New Manager Assumes Duties at Van Nuys Airport
Jens O. Rivera took over as manager of Van Nuys Airport on Monday, putting him in charge of operations at the 725-acre airfield.
Rivera, who served as both acting manager and assistant manager of Ontario International Airport, succeeds Ronald Kochivar, who held the Van Nuys post for more than seven years.
The issues that Rivera will be grappling with include a proposal to limit the number of older, noisier jets based at the airfield, the airport master plan, and efforts to soundproof the homes of nearby residents.
In addition, Rivera will have to balance concerns of private aviators with complaints from neighbors and their political leaders about air traffic and noise.
Before his appointment to the Van Nuys job, Rivera worked at Los Angeles International Airport as a telecommunications manager and staff assistant. He also held city posts with the Los Angeles Harbor, Municipal Auditorium and Community Development departments.
Van Nuys Airport contributes nearly $1 billion and 8,751 jobs to the Southern California economy, according to airport officials.
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