Airport Board Names Foraker an Interim Director

Feb. 20, 2014
The airport board of directors on Wednesday appointed former board president, Bill Foraker, as interim executive director, following the resignation of Bill McKown two weeks ago.

Feb. 20--TERRE HAUTE -- An interim executive director has been chosen for the Terre Haute International Airport-Hulman Field.

The airport board of directors on Wednesday appointed former board president, Bill Foraker, as interim executive director, following the resignation of Bill McKown two weeks ago.

Foraker said he came out of retirement and accepted the position "for the good of the airport."

He has relinquished his board position to assume the new role. The board's vice president, Darryl Huyett -- who was also former board president -- has again taken on the president position, replacing Foraker.

A local pilot who has been based at the Hulman Field for many years, Foraker said he is knowledgeable about airport operations and knows all the key people.

So he feels that he can lead the airport in pursuing its current projects and to facilitate a smooth transition.

"I'm pretty connected to the airport and committed to moving the airport forward," he said.

And they, too, are confident that Foraker fits well into the position not only because of his current knowledge of the airport's operations but also because of his aviation and management background.

Foraker has served six years on active duty in the U.S. Navy; seven years in manufacturing and maintenance management for General Motors; 12 years in grants and contracts administration at Indiana State University; and 11 years as a fundraiser at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. A graduate of ISU, he is active in a variety of aviation organizations.

Foraker expects to serve in his position in the next six to eight months until a replacement is found.

An open-ended search will begin soon but there is no set timeline for the selection of the new, permanent executive director.

Over the last five years, there have been three different airport executive directors, with an average tenure of about two years.

Because of the changes, there is currently one vacant seat in the board. Other board members include Brian Short, Chris Doll, Rachel Leslie and Darrel Zeck.

Tribune-Star Reporter Dianne Frances D. Powell can be reached at 812-231-4299 or [email protected].

Copyright 2014 - The Tribune-Star, Terre Haute, Ind.