Inside Alaska’s Airport Ecosystem with Angie Spear

In this episode, I talk with Angie Spear, Director of the Alaska International Airport System, about what it really takes to run not one—but two—of the most vital airports in the state: Ted Stevens Anchorage International and Fairbanks International. Angie brings the energy and insight you’d expect from someone who never turns off her “airport radar”—whether she's traveling or just checking out a new terminal’s carpet pattern.

We discuss what makes Alaska’s airports different from the rest of the country, how she leads large and geographically distant teams, and the critical role airports play as lifelines to rural communities. From breakfast pizzas to robotic wildlife mitigation dogs (yes, seriously), Angie shares what it means to run a “mini-city” where customer experience, safety, and community connection all matter.

You’ll hear her passion for servant leadership, her belief in developing people, and why she believes public service isn’t just about compliance—it’s about building something meaningful.