Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Senior Vice President and General Counsel Philip G. Sunderland announced plans Friday to retire after more than a decade overseeing legal matters for Reagan National and Dulles International airports, the Dulles Toll Road and the Silver Line Metrorail construction project.

“Phil Sunderland’s wisdom and leadership have been instrumental in moving the Airports Authority forward in our mission of service to the traveling public,” Airports Authority President and CEO Jack Potter said.  “Our entire organization has depended on Phil’s exceptional institutional and industry knowledge on issues related to aviation and many other important legal matters. I will always be thankful for his collaboration, integrity, friendship and good counsel. The Airports Authority and the people we serve owe Phil a great debt of gratitude. We wish him all the best in the future.”

Potter announced that Deputy General Counsel Johnna Spera will serve as acting general counsel, beginning next week after Sunderland’s departure.

“Johnna Spera’s deep experience and extensive expertise, and her knowledge of the Airports Authority and the aviation industry, will serve us well in the days ahead,” Potter said. “We are fortunate to have someone of her caliber to step into this important role.”  

Sunderland joined the Airports Authority in 2007 as secretary and counsel to the board of directors and was named general counsel in 2008. Prior to joining the Airports Authority, he served as chief of staff for then-Congressman James Moran (VA-08). Earlier, he spent five years as city manager and 14 years as city attorney for the city of Alexandria, Virginia. 

“In my 12 years at the Airports Authority, I have seen remarkable progress, which I attribute to the strong leadership of Jack Potter, a work force that is thoroughly committed to making the place function and perform better every day, and to an active, perceptive and supportive board of directors,” Sunderland said. “It’s been a personal and professional pleasure to be part of this team, and I wish all of them the very best.”