Frank Grimaldi

Frank began his career with the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) as an Airfield Operations Supervisor, where he managed day-to-day logistics, including airfield maintenance, snow removal, airfield/terminal construction, terminal management, aircraft incidents and recoveries, airfield certification, and training with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). He also participated in and represented CDA at various aircraft incidents and recoveries around the country. Frank worked closely with the FAA on various Runway Safety Programs at O’Hare, as well as advising on multiple airfield topics throughout the aviation community.

In his current role, Frank serves as the Deputy Commissioner of the Design and Construction Divisions for the CDA. He leads a team of professionals in developing the $8.8 billion ORDNext expansion program, the largest airport terminal expansion in O’Hare’s history, which will greatly expand O’Hare’s capacity and enhance the passenger experience. Frank also played an integral role in the O’Hare Modernization Program (OMP), completed in 2021, a $7 billion airfield reconfiguration that has reduced delays and made the airfield more efficient by adding four new runways and extending two others.

Frank serves as CDA’s liaison with its airline partners and other City of Chicago departments on all capital and tenant projects. He serves as a representative for the CDA at the O’Hare and Midway Airports Construction Operations Working Group.

Frank is a frequent public speaker and presenter on behalf of CDA at events around the region, including local chambers of commerce, trade groups, the annual meeting of the Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association, registered Assist Agencies like HACIA, various colleges and universities, and assorted other outreach events. He is a much-requested airfield tour guide for VIPs, airport partners and associates, and students. Frank takes great pride in representing Chicago’s airport community, as well as providing an access point for those outside our community to learn about and experience our airports.

Frank graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Dominican University, River Forest, Illinois, and completed the Project Management Certification Program from Loyola University, Chicago, Illinois. He also achieved the Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) designation from the prestigious American Association of Airport Executives.