Deputy tapped to replace McCarran Airport chief

Top deputy gets nod to replace chief at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS (AP) -- A longtime top deputy to the outgoing chief at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas is being tapped for the top spot.

Rosemary Vassiliadis was named Wednesday to replace Randall Walker as director of the Clark County Department of Aviation.

Walker is retiring June 3 after 16 years as airport chief.

County Manager Don Burnette says he'll ask the Clark County Commission to approve Vassiliadis on March 5 as the first woman to head the department that also oversees airports in North Las Vegas, Henderson, Jean and Overton.

McCarran ranks among the world's busiest airports. It handled more than 41 million passengers in 2012.

Vassiliadis is 55. She's been Walker's deputy since 1997, and previously worked in the Las Vegas city and Clark County finance departments.