Oct. 5--The Oklahoma City manager on Tuesday appointed the airport director in Riverside, Calif., to head operations at the city's three airports.
Mark Kranenburg, a Ponca City native who worked nine years for Oklahoma City's airport department, will take his position as the city's airport director in early November.
The appointment comes at an exciting and pivotal time for Will Rogers World Airport, officials said, as the airport's $110 million renovation and expansion project is about two-thirds done.
"It is exciting to be coming back when the Will Rogers Airport is enjoying such a successful renovation," Kranenburg said.
But it's no time for complacency, he said.
Kranenburg wants to see businesses rent land on the airport's fringe and hopes to expand airline service to the city. Oklahoma City recently awarded a contract to an air-service consultant, who's doing a marketing study to help bring more air routes to the city, said Karen Carney, the airport's spokeswoman.
Kranenburg also said he'll consider a new airport master plan that accounts for recent airport changes.
Kranenburg has lived in California since 2002, but says he's watched Oklahoma City "explode with development."
"Things are very bright in Oklahoma City from an outside perspective," he said.
As airport director, Kranenburg will take charge of all operations at the city's three airports -- Will Rogers, Wiley Post and the Clarence E. Page Airport. More than 60 people applied for his job, which pays a $115,000 annual salary.
The city manager appoints all but three department heads in Oklahoma City's government, said Karen Farney, the city's spokeswoman.
City Manager Jim Couch said in a statement released Tuesday that Kranenburg's familiarity with Oklahoma City's airport system and vision for the future made him well-suited for the position.
Carney said excitement is high at Will Rogers. She said she worked with Kranenburg for six years in Oklahoma City before and thinks he'll fit in.
"He has an incredible amount of enthusiasm," she said. "He loves aviation, he loves airports -- that's really important for a position like this. I think he'll do a great job."
Kranenburg succeeds Luther Trent, who served as airport director from 1993 to Sept. 15, when he retired to teach. In the interim, Airport Maintenance Manager John Goodwin serves as active director.
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