Rosemary A. Vassiliadis
Director of Aviation
Clark County Department of Aviation
Rosemary A. Vassiliadis is the Director of Aviation for Clark County, Nevada, having been appointed to this role in 2013. The department she leads is anchored by Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) which handled a record 52.6 million passengers in 2022. In addition to directing all operations at LAS, she oversees four general aviation airports in Southern Nevada. Vassiliadis manages a staff of 1,300 employees and directs an airport system that supports approximately 13,000 jobs, including private employers. Prior to taking over as head of the department, Vassiliadis served as its deputy director, giving her more than 20 years of experience in aviation leadership.
LAS is not only the aviation gateway to one of the world’s premier travel and convention destinations, it is a $35 billion economic engine driving Southern Nevada’s primary industry. Recognizing that the airport serves as visitors’ first and last looks at Las Vegas, Vassiliadis prioritizes efforts to enhance the total customer experience for all travelers. As evidence of the airport’s success, it earned top ranking among mega airports in the J.D Power and Associates 2018 North America Airport Satisfaction Study.
The most important obligation of the air travel industry is passenger safety and security. Vassiliadis directed all airport operations in the immediate aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks and under her leadership, LAS was one of the first airports in the United States to reopen. The airport remains an industry leader in security programs, serving as the site for the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) first and only Innovation Checkpoint, a unique space dedicated to side-by-side testing and evaluation of emerging security technologies in a live checkpoint environment. Additionally, Vassiliadis is serving on the Nevada Homeland Security Commission, having been appointed by three different governors.
Most recently, Vassiliadis has led LAS through the impacts of COVID-19. By adopting new, best practices and implementing innovative strategies, the airport was able to maintain operations and provide a safe and healthy travel experience. With a focus on cost containment and operational efficiency, and in keeping with the latest guidance from public health officials, she continues to lead her team through the economic recovery while welcoming back visitors to this world-class destination.
Vassiliadis has been an active voice in aviation and tourism issues, and is regularly invited to speak at numerous tourism industry conferences both domestically and internationally. She is currently on the board of the American Association of Airport Executives.
In 2022, she began an appointment to the Federal Reserve of San Francisco’s Los Angeles Branch Board of Directors. In this role, she offers expert, industry-specific contributions toward the formulation of national monetary and credit policies.
Vassiliadis serves on the board of the U.S. Travel Association, and has played an active role on Capitol Hill, educating and persuading senators, House members, and administration officials on a variety of issues critical to domestic and foreign travel. She has also served on several committees for Airports Council International-North America.
Under her direction, LAS has joined the fight against human trafficking. She’s worked with law enforcement and human trafficking experts to train and educate airport employees, establish escape opportunities for victims, and elevate awareness of this international tragedy.
Aside from maintaining the highest and most efficient operational standards, Vassiliadis has declared two other major priorities for the department: diversity and community partnership.
Vassiliadis is responsible for an important cultural shift at the Department of Aviation focused on the core belief in the importance of sharing ownership of the airport with the entire community. LAS has taken significant strides in providing business opportunities for local, minority and women-owned businesses. Vassiliadis established a process to inform and support applicants for airport concession request for proposals (RFPs).
For this commitment to community she and the department have received accolades and awards from the Las Vegas Urban Chamber, Asian American Group, Western Regional Minority Development Council, Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada, and Nevada Broadcasters Association, to name a few. She also partnered with local veterans and military groups and the United Services Organization (USO) to establish airport lounges for the many members of the military who travel through Las Vegas. As a result, each LAS terminal houses a USO lounge.
Department of Aviation employees have embraced the opportunity to support public schools in Clark County, as have many of the local airline, vendor and federal employees. Classroom reading, school supply donations benefitting underprivileged kids, paper airplane contests, and mentoring are just a few of the many ways LAS plays a role in young lives. In recognition of her many contributions, and those of her husband, the Clark County School District in 2017 named a new school Billy & Rosemary Vassiliadis Elementary.
Vassiliadis has also been an advocate for sustainability efforts throughout the department. In recent years, many steps have been taken to reduce the industry’s impact on the environment. These measures include replacing more than 10,000 lights with energy-efficient LED lights; shifting to drought-resistant xeriscaping along the airport’s roadways; and installing charging stations for electric ground support equipment, as well as customers’ vehicles.
Vassiliadis’ focus on operational efficiency and financial prudence comes from her educational and professional background. She graduated with a degree in accounting from DePaul University, served as the budget chief for City of Las Vegas, and was appointed Clark County Director of Finance.
Vassiliadis has been married for more than 30 years, having raised two successful children. She’s also a fanatic supporter of the Chicago Cubs.