Name: Rosemarie Andolino
Title: Commissioner
Company, city: Chicago Department of Aviation; Chicago, Ill.
Number of employees: 1,500 between Chicago O’Hare International and Midway airports
Recent project: I began work on one of the world’s largest construction programs 11 years ago at one of the busiest airports in the world, and the work continues. Recently, we opened Runway 10C, marking the completion of Phase I of the program.
First job: Selling subscriptions to the Daily Herald to win a bicycle, followed by working concessions in my grandparents’ bingo hall
Little-known fact about you: My family and friends mean everything to me, and my co-workers are like family.
Your Business
Essential business philosophy: Work hard and lead by example. I do not ask anyone to do what I would not do myself. I established seven core expectations for the Department of Aviation: Teamwork/Collaboration, Integrity/Honesty, Courage, Results-driven, Respect, Safety and Quality.
Best way to keep a competitive edge: I routinely “secret shop” our airports to experience what travelers experience firsthand. I stay current by reading and monitoring social media, observing the environment, and photographing details—small things matter. Stay curious and operate at full capacity.
Yardstick of success: The ability to understand global trends and determine how—or whether—they make sense for Chicago.
Rosemarie Andolino as a Traveler
Most important item when traveling: My phone.
How I spend time on board: I work. Flying forces focus and offers a quiet block of time to think through ideas.
Favorite restaurant in the world: Made in China, Beijing.
Favorite destination in the world: Italy.
About Chicago Department of Aviation
What the city of Chicago offers travelers: Chicago is a quintessential American city with world-class shopping and accommodations, 26 miles of lakefront, renowned museums and architecture, vibrant nightlife and music scenes, premiere theater, and 25 Michelin-starred restaurants. The city continues to gain recognition as new hotels open and demand grows.
Chicago’s hotel market has expanded to meet rising demand, including notable openings such as the city’s first Virgin Hotel. Since 2013, developers have completed more than 2,000 hotel rooms in the downtown core, with an additional 2,000 under construction and many more planned.
The city keeps reinventing itself with projects like the expanded Riverwalk along the Chicago River and attractions like 360 Chicago in the John Hancock Center, which offer unique, safe vantage points for viewing the skyline and lake.
What conveniences make business and leisure travel through Chicago O’Hare easier? The wide mix of network carriers (American, United) and low-cost airlines (Southwest, Spirit) provides exceptional onward connectivity across North America, enabling efficient connections for travelers and shippers alike.
In summer 2013, O’Hare became the first U.S. gateway to implement Automated Passport Control kiosks for U.S. and Canadian citizens, expediting immigration and allowing U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents to focus resources on other travelers. Processing times are expected to improve further as CBP expands staffing at Chicago’s airports.
What does the O’Hare of 2020 look like? Under the leadership of Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Chicago’s airports are being modernized to improve capacity, efficiency and customer service. The O’Hare of 2020 is envisioned as a world-class airport that reflects the scale and ambition of the city—supporting the mayor’s goal of welcoming 55 million visitors annually and ranking among the top airports for air cargo.
O’Hare will connect Chicago to the world with a broad mix of carriers offering more nonstop destinations than nearly any other airport. At the Chicago Department of Aviation, we aim to set a standard in environmental stewardship by adopting socially and economically responsible practices that support sustainable initiatives and enhance residents’ quality of life.