GARY -
The former head of the Indianapolis International Airport has landed a six-month stint in a business development role at Gary Chicago International Airport.
Eyewitness News has confirmed that GCIA hired John Clark for a six-month post. He will earn $5,000 per month.
Clark left his role as CEO last month after the airport declined to renew his contract. Questions were raised over Clark's overseas travel during his time in Indianapolis.
A 13 Investigates report which aired in September 2010 revealed that Clark had taken 31 trips during his first 15 months on the job. Those trips included several international destinations and posh golf resorts, where he was reimbursed for rounds of golf.
At the time, Clark told Eyewitness News his travels were meant to build business relationships and "expand airport growth."
A few months after the 13 Investigates reports aired, the Airport Authority made some changes to its travel policies. Despite that, airport records show Clark's travel expenses (hotels, airfare, change fees, etc) jumped from $54,000 in 2010 to $74,000 in 2011. Those costs included trips to conferences and business development destinations including Brazil, Denmark, Greece, Morocco and Switzerland.
Airport documents show Clark spent a total of more than $200,000 on travel, meetings and meals during his three-year tenure.
Since Clark's departure, the airport says executives will take fewer overseas trips the rest of the year under a pared-down schedule.
John Clark
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