L.A. airport members chairman

Another airport commissioner, William Dahl, also put his resignation on Riordan's desk Thursday. Both resignations are effective June 30. Garcia had two years left on his term and Dahl's ended in June.

"Dan Garcia has been a dedicated, energetic and valuable asset to my administration and the people of Los Angeles," Riordan said in a statement.

"He has served tirelessly as chair of the airport commission . . . and is largely responsible for envisioning the expansion of LAX," Riordan said.

But according to Los Angeles publications, the same attributes that led to Riordan choosing Garcia - an aggressive, no prisoners approach - made the airport commission chairman a liability in selling the Los Angeles International Airport Master Plan.

That plan already faces an uphill public relations battle and it has yet to be released.

In an effort to save face in a City Council that mostly supported Garcia, the mayor chose to place the ousted chairman in another position, according to Los Angeles publications.

Antelope Valley officials and community leaders were not saddened to hear of Garcia's ouster. Garcia was clearly not a proponent of developing the Palmdale Regional Airport and dismissed it as a part of solving regional air congestion, officials here said

Riordan announced Garcia's new position.

"I have asked Dan to become my senior adviser on LAX Master Plan matters and I am honored that he has agreed to serve yet again. I am delighted that he has agreed to play a key role at LAX21, the advisory group of the Los Angeles business, labor and community leaders who support the LAX expansion effort," Riordan said.

Riordan said Dahl is "dedicated and valuable."

"His global experience as an architect has contributed enormously to the LAX growth plans and other efforts that will ensure Los Angeles greets the 21st century as one of the world's most important cities."

To replace Garcia and Dahl, Riordan also announced Thursday he intends to nominate Miguel Contreras to Garcia's former post and John Agoglia to the position vacated by Dahl.

Contreras is the executive secretary treasurer of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFLCIO, comprising about 400 local unions and representing 440,000 workers in Los Angeles.

His labor involvement began with the United Farm Workers' strike against grape growers in the 1970s and has since held several posts with unions. Riordan called Contreras "one of the state's most important voices for working people."

Agoglia retired as NBC enterprises president in June 1997 and as a consultant to NBC until December. He worked in network television for 32 years and is "highly regarded in the entertainment industry for his tough negotiating skills and unquestioned integrity," Riordan said.

Agoglia is a long-time friend of Riordan and several Los Angeles publications have said Riordan wanted him to take over the campaign to mobilize support for the LAX Master Plan.

"I am proud to nominate two people with unlimited capabilities, drive, and imagination to serve on the airport commission as we ready this valuable city resource for the next century," the mayor said.