"Augusta airport, ex-director study their options"

Monday, August 11, 2003

Airport, ex-director study their options 
By Preston Sparks
The Augusta (GA) Chronicle


At least one thing is certain about Ken Kraemer's future in Augusta.

"I'm going to be taking legal action," Mr. Kraemer reiterated Monday,
referring to plans to contest his firing Thursday as the director of Augusta
Regional Airport.

Mr. Kraemer said he will consult lawyer Jack Long as soon as Mr. Long
returns from overseas. He said he also will contact the U.S. Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission.

He wouldn't comment on the grounds for any potential lawsuit.

On Monday, Augusta Aviation Commission Chairman Cedric Johnson said Gary
Green, who retired in May after 15 years as the director of the Colorado
Springs, Colo., airport, has been approached in connection with Mr.
Kraemer's former position. Buster Boshears, the director of Daniel Field,
has been chosen as the interim director of Augusta Regional for as long as
two months.

Mr. Johnson said the airport's personnel committee will be asked to consider
Mr. Green and other candidates.

Mr. Johnson prefers a director with a background in constructing new airport
facilities, which Mr. Green has. Mr. Green has said he would sign a yearlong
contract with the aviation commission if asked, according to Mr. Johnson.

"A lot of people were thinking people just won't come to Augusta," Mr.
Johnson said. "And that's not the case."

Mr. Kraemer was criticized by some aviation commissioners for his
implementation of an organizational review and for a request he made to the
Augusta Commission for a $31,000 Eddie Bauer Ford Explorer without the
aviation commission's approval.

After his firing Thursday, Mr. Kraemer argued that he was offered the
opportunity to resign without a vote by the aviation commission. He also
said he believes that only the city has the authority to fire him.

The aviation commission terminated Mr. Kraemer's contract by a 5-4 vote,
committing to a six-month salary severance package because his contract had
been renewed.

On Monday, Mr. Kraemer said he hadn't decided whether he would stay in
Augusta.

"At this point, it's too soon to answer," he said.

Mr. Kraemer said he has offered his assistance to Mr. Boshears.

"The staff is very near and dear to my heart, and I'm going to miss them
greatly," he said, adding, "I look back at my two years and one week at
Augusta Regional, and I'm proud of the accomplishments I've had."

Mr. Johnson said Mr. Green was mentioned as a replacement in the spring when
Mr. Kraemer was offered a six-month severance package in exchange for his
resignation. He said the aviation commission didn't vote on the offer before
it was made.

Mr. Johnson said a replacement would have been needed if Mr. Kraemer had
accepted the offer, so several consultants were asked to provide job
candidates. Mr. Green was recommended by Michael Moroney, a consultant who
has helped the airport plan a new terminal.

Airport officials are now searching for a director as they plan for a new
terminal and scramble to keep Continental Express in Augusta.

The airport recently contracted a $25,000 study through Seabury Airline
Planning Group to determine why few businesses are using Continental. A
request for offers wasn't made on the study because the airport had to act
quickly, said Kathryn Solee, the airport's marketing director.

The airport had indications that business travel from Augusta was not
meeting Continental's expectations, which a Continental executive confirmed
publicly during a visit soon after.

"We did not (do a request) because we had two weeks to save Augusta an
airline," Ms. Solee said.

A position has been created to serve as a liaison between businesses and the
airport to address concerns.

Rahsaan Johnson, a spokesman for Continental, said Mr. Kraemer's firing
shouldn't affect Continental's relationship with Augusta.

"The airport has a job to promote all of its services, including ours," he
said. "They've been doing well at that job, and we've got every reason to
believe that will continue."

JOB PROSPECT

Gary Green, a retired Colorado Springs, Colo., airport director, has
expressed interest in the Augusta Regional Airport director's position. Mr.
Green:

Retired in May after 15 years as director of Colorado Springs Airport

Was responsible for 116 employees and a yearly operating revenue of about
$23 million. Augusta Regional's operating revenue is about $5.4 million.

Was involved in construction of a $33 million runway and the design of an
$81 million terminal. Augusta Regional is planning a $30 million terminal.

Has 35 years of experience in the aviation industry

Served five years as the director of operations for the Greater Orlando
(Fla.) Aviation Authority before Colorado Springs

Attached Photo:

Gary Green, a former airport director in Colorado, has been contacted for
the open job.

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