McKown Resigns As Terre Haute International Airport Executive Director

Feb. 6, 2014
Clarence W. "Bill" McKown notified the airport authority on Wednesday of his resignation. He had been executive director since May 2012

Feb. 06--TERRE HAUTE -- The executive director of the Terre Haute International Airport-Hulman Field has resigned effective immediately, airport officials announced during the board meeting Wednesday.

Clarence W. "Bill" McKown notified the airport authority on Wednesday of his resignation. He had been executive director since May 2012.

The board voted to accept his resignation during the meeting.

McKown did not attend the board meeting and had no immediate comment when contacted after the meeting.

No reason for his resignation was cited in a release provided by the airport.

"We wish Bill well," said Airport Board President Bill Foraker.

The board will announce a new leadership plan by the end of next week, Foraker said.

Before serving as executive director for the Terre Haute International Airport, McKown was the airport manager for Archuleta County Airport in Pagosa Springs, Colo. He served the country for 35 years and retired as a captain from the U.S. Navy in 2007.

McKown, Foraker said, helped in "getting us to where we are now," from two years ago, with accomplishments such as a positive cash flow and new projects.

Foraker said about two to three years is the average tenure of the executive director, so "it wasn't completely unexpected."

But he added that there has been a little more turnover in the director position than "we would like."

Foraker said, the board plans to do a thorough search for a new director, an individual who should be able to manage a wide variety of things. Knowledge in economic development, finance, taxes and airport operations, among others, are all important, he said.

And Foraker expressed full confidence in the 16-employee airport team, "which can function very well," during the transition.

Tribune-Star Reporter Dianne Frances D. Powell can be reached at 812-231-4299 or dianne.powell

@tribstar.com.

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