Retire-rehire plan OK’d by port authority

By Karl Henkel | July 1, 2011 at 12:01a.m.

VIENNA

The Western Reserve Port Authority board voted unanimously to implement a retire-rehire agreement with a longtime employee.

Jack Sullivan, superintendent of operations and maintenance and a 38-year employee at Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport, will be rehired as a contract employee today with a pay increase after retiring Thursday.

Scott Lynn, chairman of the WRPA board, said Wednesday the move will save the authority nearly $13,000 annually because it will no longer pay Sullivan’s benefits.

“It’s a win for us and a deserving payback for Jack Sullivan,” Lynn said.

Sullivan receives a two-year contract worth $52,000 a year with mutual options for two one-year extensions. He’ll receive a 2 percent raise each year and also will get a $1,200 signing bonus.

He also will receive compensation for 30 percent of his sick days, which will be made in three separate payments and total about $22,000.

Sullivan’s salary was $46,800 this year.

Lynn said the salary is more in line with the national average, which he said ranges from $54,000 to $69,000, based on statistics from the American Association of Airport Executives.

“I call him my walking history book,” said Dan Dickten, aviation director. “Any time we need to know about the history of the airport ... Jack will point you in the right direction.”