WMBD Radio reports that the airport authority board has approved Ken Spirito as director of the Greater Peoria Regional Airport, succeeding Solomon Balraj, who left last fall. Before coming to Peoria, he was the Assistant Executive Director of the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport in Mississippi.
Even though WMBD is reporting this today, the date on the press release from the airport’s website is 3/8/06. So I guess this is old news. Here’s some more biographical information on Mr. Spirito:
Originally from Long Island, New York, Mr. Spirito has worked at several airports in the Midwest, Southeast and Northeast. In previous positions, he was responsible for working with legislators and developing aeronautical and non-aeronautical business. Mr. Spirito has managed over $250 million in capital improvements at Gulfport-Biloxi and was recently named one of the top 10 business leaders in South Mississippi. Mr. Spirito is an Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) and is an active member of the American Association of Airport Executives.
He has a wife and two kids, and will be starting at $135,000 a year. Welcome to Peoria, Ken.
I still want to know what happened to the last guy. Do we have to wait till the docs are released in 50 years or what?
He got too big for his britches and looked down on everyone else (from a credible source). Too bad, because he was quite successful in convincing airlines to add and increase service to our local airport.