By SDCN Staff
San Diego, CA–The San Diego County Regional Airport Authority announced the appointment of Lydia Ball as chair of the Board of Directors.
Ball has served on the board of directors since early April and was appointed by city of San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria to serve as the chair effective May 7.
She replaced the outgoing chair, Guillermo “Gil” Cabrera, who served as the chair of the board of directors from August 2021 through March 2026.
“I couldn’t be more confident in Lydia Ball as the next chair of the Airport Authority,” said Mayor Gloria. “She knows San Diego, she knows how to get complex things done, and she’s exactly who you want at the helm-whether that’s seeing Terminal 1 through to completion or ensuring the airport runs efficiently for generations to come. I also want to thank outgoing Chair Gil Cabrera. He’s led this airport through one of the most consequential periods in its history, and that reflects the kind of commitment he’s always brought to this city.”
Ball has more than 20 years of experience advancing infrastructure, clean energy, and regional economic development initiatives as a public policy strategist and consultant.
Through Ball’s consulting practice, she advises nonprofits, foundations, and public sector leaders on strategy, policy development, and cross-sector partnerships, bringing a focus on providing clarity in chaos and helping clients navigate complex policy environments.
“I am honored to be selected by Mayor Gloria and approved by the city council to help guide the Airport Authority Board during the second phase of the Terminal 1 redevelopment,” said Ball. “I look forward to continuing to build a modern, sustainable transportation hub that connects our region efficiently and enhances San Diego’s reputation as a premier destination.”
Previously, Ball served as chief of staff to Council President Sean Elo-Rivera, where she helped guide policy and operational strategy across housing, transportation, climate action, and economic development priorities. She also directed environmental programs at The San Diego Foundation, where she oversaw grantmaking initiatives and played a key role in launching and deploying the region’s $54 million COVID-19 Community Response Fund.
Earlier in her career, Ball served as Nevada State Director for the Energy Foundation and as Executive Director of the Clean Energy Project, where she built and led coalitions of business, community, and policy leaders to advance clean energy development and economic growth. She brings extensive experience working across government, private sector, and community stakeholders to navigate complex regional challenges and deliver collaborative, result-driven solutions.
“We appreciate Mayor Gloria’s continued support of the Airport Authority and the appointment of Ms. Ball as our next chair,” said Atif Saeed, President and CEO, San Diego County Regional Airport Authority. “We look forward to Ms. Ball’s expertise as we continue to enhance the airport customer experience for all. The Airport Authority is also enormously grateful to Gil Cabrera for his passionate, insightful, and dynamic leadership that supported SAN in bringing our region and the world a new, more modern airport.”
During Cabrera’s service as chair, he led the board through tremendous change. He was instrumental in establishing policy that aided in the airport’s recovery from steep declines in air travel during the global pandemic. He also led the authority through the first phase of the redevelopment of the new Terminal 1, which is the largest capital improvement project in the airport’s history and among the largest in the region.
