"Alabama airport may hire new director today"

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Airport may hire new director today
By Russ Corey
The Gadsden (AL) Times Daily


A new director at the Northwest Alabama Regional Airport could be hired
today.

Board members will meet again at 4 p.m. today and will likely vote to hire
someone at that time.

The board met in executive session Wednesday and agreed to extend a
tentative offer to one of two finalists - Matthew Hea or George Smith.

Airport Director John Lehrter and Board Chairman Ed Borden declined to name
that candidate or the other finalist.

Hea is the manager of Prattville Airport near Montgomery. Smith, who is
unemployed and living in Mississippi, has several years of experience in a
variety of staff positions at airports.

Lehrter, who has held the director's position for the past 20 years,
informed the board earlier this year that he planned to retire at the end of
December.

"It's just a great job," Lehrter said. "I've been blessed to have it for 20
years."

Lehrter said the board received 35 applications for the director's position.

The board conducted telephone interviews with six candidates, which helped
narrow the field to four.

Board members held face-to-face interviews with the remaining four
candidates and selected two, Lehrter said.

The two finalists were the topic of Wednesday's board meeting.

"There was a whole lot of discussion, and that's good," Borden said.

Lehrter said the candidate chosen by the board was contacted Wednesday and
offered the job.

The board will vote to hire this individual if they're satisfied with a
final verification of his qualifications and the candidate accepts the
salary that's being offered.

"We've already done some reference checks," Lehrter said.

A job posting on the American Association of Airport Executives Web site
stated that the director's job provided benefits that include a production
bonus, vehicle allowance, medical and dental coverage, paid holidays, paid
vacation, paid sick days and participation in the Alabama Retirement System.

If the candidate accepts the job, Lehrter said he would start work on Oct.
1.

Lehrter said he would remain at the airport through the end of the year in
an advisory capacity.

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