An opening at the airport

An opening at the airport

The Western Reserve Port Authority plainly didn’t need the distraction or expense of having to find a new director of aviation for the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport, but it didn’t have a choice. Steve Bowser who has held the job for six years, got an offer he could hardly refuse — second in command at an airport in Palm Springs, Calif, that is serviced by about a dozen commercial airlines.

Bowser, who made about $55,000 in his post at the municipal airport will be paid $87,000 as deputy director of Palm Springs International Airport.

The Western Reserve Port Authority will face a challenge in finding a replacement — meaning someone who can see the airport’s potential for commercial, cargo and general aviation traffic and build on the gains made in recent years.

Board members step up

Bowser was a Mahoning Valley native who brought an understanding of the area and experience in aviation to the job. Replacing him won’t be easy, but it appears the port authority is going about it in the right way. The authority took some heat earlier this year when it decided to use an executive search firm out of Chicago to screen applicants for an economic development director. Finding the right people to fill important jobs is not easy, and it is not inexpensive.

In its search for an aviation director, the board has agreed to conduct its own search, starting with advertisements in trade magazines. While the personnel committee conducts its search, board members Scott Lynn, Scott Lewis and Patrick Pellin will serve as a transition team to fill Bowser’s position for however long it takes to find a replacement. That’s an impressive commitment of volunteer service to the community by the board members, who are unpaid.

The new airport manager will have to pick up where Bowser left off in using available federal funds for small airports to attract a regional airline to the Valley. The carrier would provide a link between Youngstown-Warren and a major hub airport. As the economy improves, perhaps the next airport manager will be in a better position to make some fresh pitches to regional airlines.