Thursday, March 8, 2007
Shiner, a self-proclaimed "military brat," said he feels most comfortable in small towns. His past stops include Santa Maria and South Lake Tahoe, Calif., before spending the last 11 years in Hayward, Calif., located near San Francisco and Oakland.
He came to Farmington two weeks ago to head up the main air transportation hub for northwest New Mexico. He says he likes what he sees.
"I'm here for the long haul," Shiner said with a smile. "After two weeks, I'm glad to be out of the congestion of the big city."
Shiner said he had a natural interest in aviation since he was a child. Even though he does have his pilot's license, the thought of flying as a career didn't excite him like it did when he was a kid. So, he did the next best thing and combined his interest in business with flying to start a career in aviation administration.
"After 23 years, I still love my job," he said. "Being a pilot full-time was not for me, but I was able to combine both of my interests."
In his spare time, Shiner said he does still fly, even though it's not as often as he would like. He did build an RV-4 plane with his father more than seven years ago and plans to fly the plane to Farmington once he can get back to California to get it.
Shiner comes to the Four Corners from Hayward Executive Airport. Although the scenery and open airspace are a little different, Shiner said it is a welcome change.
"We had three major airports (around us)," Shiner said, referring to San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose international airports — all within a 30-mile radius of Hayward. "There were some places we just couldn't go as a Class B and Class C airspace and that was always in the back of your mind. I think it'll be a little easier here."
Searching for a new place and change of pace, Shiner said he specifically looked in the Southwest in order to be closer to Phoenix, where an ill family member lives.
"I'd been looking to get closer to Phoenix," he said. "My mother's not in good health and I wanted to be closer. I've been down to Phoenix twice since I've been here.
"It was good timing when this position opened up," Shiner continued. "Its a great location and I love looking at the view."
Located above Mesa Airline's annex building, next to the main terminal, Shiner's office has a view of the La Plata Mountains jetting into the sky and peaking above the runway.
"It's beautiful," he said. "I'm always pointing out (the scenery) and most people just shrug it off — they've seen it all."
Just days into his tenure, Shiner said he has some ideas to move the airport forward, but declined to disclose them before bringing them to his supervisor first.
"I'll wait and tell him," he said. "I do have some ideas, but I want to sit down with (General Services Director) Rod Hunt. I know there is a master plan with some ideas, but they are just that, ideas. I want to sit down and take a look at all of that."
Hunt said he is excited to have a manager to lead operations at the airport, but will allow for an adjustment time before he asks for major input and long-term planning.
"There is a lot to learn," Hunt said. "Before we do a lot of strategic planning, I want to give him some time to get to know the area and all of the state and federal requirements."
Hunt said he is looking forward to a new perspective and the new ideas that will come from Shiner.
One obstacle he will have to be aware of is the location of the airport, Shiner said.
"Being on top of a mesa is constricting for expansion," Shiner said. "You can't just expand in any direction. But there are a lot of ways to support an airport that isn't just flying. We want to optimize the use of the airport to make it as productive as possible."
Thus far, Shiner has a positive outlook and during his introductory period, he has nothing but big hopes for the future.
"It's been great so far," he said. "I've got a lot of good ideas. I'm listening to and evaluating all suggestions I hear. I'm ready to get out there and work."
Shiner's annual salary is $57,442.