At Harrisburg International Airport, one woman stands out as the driving force behind the seamless management of the airport’s extensive real estate portfolio: Arletta Metzger. As the head of the Properties Department, Arletta brings a wealth of experience and expertise that ensures the smooth operation and growth of airport properties, contributing significantly to the airport’s mission and vision.
A Journey from Retail to Aviation
Before assuming her current role, Arletta built a strong foundation in property management through her work in the shopping center industry. She honed her skills with several Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) like JLL and CBL Properties. These companies own and manage income-producing real estate, providing Arletta with valuable experience. Her roles included serving as an Assistant General Manager at a 1 million-square-foot shopping center in York and working as a Retail Leasing Manager for a real estate developer.
These roles equipped Arletta with essential skills in lease negotiations, tenant coordination, and understanding the operations of large properties. While transitioning to the aviation industry presented new challenges, Arletta found that the core responsibilities of property management remained consistent, facilitating a smooth transition into her current role.
Educational Background and Certifications
Arletta’s expertise is backed by a solid educational background. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Shippensburg University, where she majored in Communications/Journalism with an emphasis on Public Relations. Additionally, she possesses a Real Estate License, further strengthening her qualifications in property management.
Primary Responsibilities at HIA
As the head of the properties department, Arletta Metzger handles a wide range of critical responsibilities. She manages real estate leases and contracts, acts as the primary customer service contact for tenants, and oversees the negotiation and execution of new property leases and contracts. Additionally, her duties include preparing annual rent escalations. She manages the request for modification or construction process. She also handles the renewal of general liability and business insurance annually. Furthermore, she assists tenants with new construction and development projects. Among these projects is The Great American Bagel and Crafted which will be coming soon to the terminal.
Supporting HIA’s Mission
Arletta’s department plays a vital role in contributing to HIA’s mission by overseeing tenant contract compliance. This ensures that all leases and contracts align with the airport’s goal of providing more flights to more places more often. By collaborating with tenants, Arletta’s department supports the overall growth and expansion of airport operations.
Interesting Facts about the Properties Department
One unique aspect of Arletta’s department is the sheer volume of leases and contracts she manages—over 150 in total. Despite being the only person in the properties department, Arletta’s efficiency and dedication ensure that all operations run smoothly.
Collaboration and Revenue Generation
Arletta’s collaboration with other airport departments, airlines, and external stakeholders is key to maximizing the utilization and revenue generation of airport properties. By keeping all available T-hangar units, hangars, and other locations leased, she ensures continuous revenue generation. Timely lease renewals and strong inter-departmental collaboration are essential components of her strategy.
Measuring Success
The success of Arletta’s department is measured by maintaining high occupancy rates at Harrisburg, Capital City, Franklin County, and Gettysburg airports. Meeting and exceeding budget projections and fostering good relationships with tenants is important as well. These efforts contribute significantly to fulfilling the airport’s mission and vision, optimizing property assets to support airport development and growth.
Stay tuned for more insights into the inner workings of our airport in future blog posts!
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