Brian Leuck was named interim vice president and airport manager for Washington Dulles International Airport, succeeding Chris Browne, who is retiring to take on new responsibilities as deputy director of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. Browne’s retirement becomes effective February 3, and a nationwide search for his permanent successor is underway.

Leuck, a registered Professional Engineer, most recently managed the Dulles Engineering and Maintenance function, responsible for maintaining all infrastructure and overseeing construction on the airport’s 12,000 acres. Since 1988, Leuck has served in roles of increasing responsibility at Dulles including in Airport Operations and as airport security coordinator.

“Brian Leuck brings a wealth of experience over many years across several disciplines at Dulles International to the Airport Manager’s office,” said Margaret McKeough, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Metropolitan Airports Authority. “I am confident in his ability to manage the large, highly talented team at Dulles and to keep the airport, the Dulles Access Highway and the Dulles Toll Road operating smoothly for the benefit of our passengers while the search process is completed.”

Dulles Airport serves more than 22 million passengers per year and is forecast to have a second straight year of domestic growth and a thirteenth straight year of international growth when 2016 passenger statistics are tabulated. Air service expanded to destinations across the country and around the world, including the introduction of new carriers Royal Air Maroc, LAN Peru and Air Canada. The Airports Authority extended the Airport Use Agreement and Premises Lease through 2024 with airlines at Dulles, including hub carrier United Airlines. A Metrorail station at Dulles Airport is under construction as part of the Silver Line project, scheduled for completion in 2020.

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority operates Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, the Dulles Airport Access Highway and the Dulles Toll Road and also manages construction of the Silver Line project, a 23-mile extension of the Washington region’s Metrorail public transit system through Fairfax County and into Loudoun County, Virginia. More than 44 million passengers a year pass through the two airports. The Airports Authority generates more than 387,000 jobs in the National Capital Region.