June 19--BROOKSVILLE -- Kevin Daugherty has been named the new manager of the Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport.
Daugherty, 40, will replace Don Silvernell, who announced in April he will retire as manager and move to Boise, Idaho, to be closer to his 7-month-old granddaughter.
Daugherty is currently manager of the Frederick Municipal Airport in Maryland, a post he's held since 2007.
Daugherty said in his application packet he will work closely with the city of Brooksville and Hernando County's Economic Development team to bring businesses to the airport.
"This generates revenue opportunities and strengthens the airport as a self-sustaining entity, as well as supporting the local tax base," Daugherty wrote.
Daugherty's starting salary will be $80,000 annually, compared to Silvernell's $78,624. A start date is being negotiated.
"In today's challenging fiscal environment, airports must be able to maximize and diversify revenues to meet operational goals," Daugherty wrote.
Silvernell, whose last day is July 1, has said he hopes to work with his successor before departing. He said he is leaving at a time when the airport and its activities are in a strong financial position.
"The airport's got a good reputation," Silvernell said.
Daugherty will be responsible for the entire airport complex, which sits on 2,400 acres and includes the RailPark, Corporate Airpark, AirPark Northeast, and the Industrial Park proper.
Daugherty is a graduate of Southern Illinois University, with a bachelor's degree in aviation management. He is an accredited member of the American Association of Airport Executives and holds a private pilot's license.
"I have always believed that the customer comes first and that a satisfied customer is a customer that will return with others to patronize your facility," Daugherty wrote.
"My customers know that I am accessible to them at any time, even after hours and weekends, and that I will go above and beyond to retain their business and leave them (satisfied)."
"We're excited," said Airport Aviation Authority Chairman Gary Schraut. "He brings a lot of talent with him. It's a new beginning."
Schraut said he expects Daugherty to continue the trend started in 1984 when the county began marketing the airport industrial park and moving the entire airport forward.
Director of Administrative Services Cheryl Marsden said Daugherty comes from an airport somewhat larger than the Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport, in size of operations.
The Frederick Municipal Airport has 130,000 annual operations and aircraft, compared to Hernando County's 171 based aircraft, Marsden said.
"They also have two flight schools, which we are looking at putting into our airport so he will bring that knowledge," Marsden said. "He also has experience with master plans, which we are working on developing now."
Marsden, who conducted interviews with the final candidates, called Daugherty "a real go-getter and likes to move things forward."
Business Development Director Mike McHugh said in a prepared statement that Daugherty had a strong track record.
"The things he has accomplished align well with where we are and where we're going," McHugh said.
McHugh, who was on the interview team, said he thought Daugherty was a man driven by accomplishment and would be "able to pick up and carry the ball forward after (Silvernell) leaves."
Copyright 2013 - Hernando Today, Brooksville, Fla.
