Northwest Florida airport leaders' pay jets upward
June 28--WEST BAY -- The top executive management personnel at the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport were awarded raises by the Airport Authority board Wednesday.
Executive Director John Wheat, Deputy Executive Director Parker W. McClellan Jr. and Director of Administration Pamn Henderson all received pay hikes.
Wheat's salary increases from $135,000 to $151,875 annually, McClellan's salary goes from $100,000 to $112,500 and Henderson's salary increases from $87,069 to $90,541.
"I am of the opinion that his increase is justified," Board of Director Chairman Andy McKenzie said.
The salary adjustments were made retroactive to May 1.
The board voted unanimously to approve the raises with little discussion.
In May, the board appointed board member Till Bruett to meet with the executive staff and recommend salary adjustments for the executive staff. According to the board, the additional funds for the pay increases are available in this year's budget.
The board also noted the raises for the executive staff were equal to those salaries of similar airport executives across the country.
On Oct. 1 of last year, the airport salary schedules were adjusted upward by 5 percent and a majority of airport staff received a 5 percent increase in pay also, the authority announced.
Wheat was hired in April of last year at $135,000.
He had been the deputy director of the Tampa International Airport before taking the position at the Northwest Florida Beaches International. His annual salary in Tampa was about $212,000.
Wheat took over for Randy Curtis in April 2011 after Curtis relinquished day-to-day oversight of the airport to concentrate on legal issues with Phoenix Construction and the sale of the old airport property.
Copyright 2012 - The News Herald, Panama City, Fla.