Meet Our Team

Lori Collins joined the Mesa Gateway Airport Authority as Director of Business and Economic Development in June 2023. Her department is responsible for key revenue generating activities at the Airport which include business attraction and retention, real estate development, property management, ground transportation services, rental car operations and terminal concessions.

Previously, Lori worked for the Cities of Mesa and Phoenix in deputy economic development director roles, where she focused on developing and implementing strategies to encourage investment and drive job growth. Since 2014, she has personally worked on projects and led teams that assisted to locate companies who committed to bring more than 30,000 jobs to the region.

A lifelong Arizonan with an economic development career spanning more than 20 years, Lori has a wide breadth of experience in the Greater Phoenix area and is passionate about collaborating with others to help shape a successful economic future for Arizona.

Brent White, MPA, serves as the Economic Development and Real Estate Project Manager. He holds a Master of Public Administration from Arizona State University. In his role at Gateway, Brent is dedicated to a variety of critical areas including revenue growth, enhancing terminal concessions, fostering tenant relations, ensuring business retention, and overseeing both project and property management.

Brent has 15 successful years of experience in the aviation and local government industry including a decade at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and City of Phoenix. During his career, some of Brent's significant project successes include increased concessions revenue, enhanced tenant relations, and improvements to rental car facilities. He also introduced additional rental car concessionaires and spearheaded new terminal food, beverage, and retail concepts. His proactive approach also led to the identification of new development opportunities.

On a personal note, Brent is a second-generation native Arizonan. He is married with two children and three dogs, and enjoys an active lifestyle that includes hiking, biking, and participating in field sports. His deep-rooted connection to Arizona and commitment to his family reflect in both his professional and personal life.

Alex Smith is Gateway Airport's Economic Development and Real Estate Project Manager. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Air Traffic Management and a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice, both from Arizona State University and is an Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.). With over 11 years in the industry, Alex has extensive experience in airport operations, recently serving as the Terminal Operations Manager, and is well-versed in FAA and TSA regulations.

In his current role, Alex focuses on business attraction and recruitment at Gateway. His oversight responsibilities include the MGAA revenue parking program, in addition to fostering positive, working relationships with various airport economic development partners, businesses, and prospects.

Outside of his professional life, Alex is an Arizona native, an avid golfer, and represents Arizona on the Board of Directors for the Southwest Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives (SWAAAE).

Matthew McClung serves as the Economic Development and Real Estate Coordinator at Gateway and is responsible for overseeing vending and ATM concessions, managing ground transportation programs, negotiating facility leases, and spearheading the Airport's Business Retention and Expansion Strategy program.

Matthew's industry experience spans 19 years, with a primary focus on aviation and business development. He spent 13 years leading the Fuel Storage Facility and quality assurance initiatives at Gateway Airport.

Originally from the Central Coast of California, Matthew earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geography at Arizona State University. He enjoys watching Formula 1, engaging in home improvement projects, and spending quality time with his wife and kids. His diverse interests and family-oriented lifestyle complement his professional achievements, providing a well-rounded and grounded perspective to his work and leadership at Gateway.