The St. Clair County Public Building Commission (PBC), which oversees the operations at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport (BLV) in Mascoutah, Ill., has announced that Darren James has officially been named Airport Director after serving as interim in the position since August 23. In the wake of his promotion, the PBC also announced that Jennifer Hogancamp has been hired to serve as Assistant Airport Director, a position previously held by James. The two will work together to continue to grow the airport’s passenger and cargo operations.
James has been with MidAmerica St. Louis Airport since 2022, serving as Assistant Airport Director before being promoted to interim Airport Director when former director Bryan Johnson resigned to take a position as executive director of Johnson County Airport Commission in Johnson County, Kansas. James brings to the position of director more than three decades of leadership experience in global aviation operations and National Security. In 2020, he completed a distinguished 30-year career in the United States Air Force, where he served in numerous high-level positions and retired as a one-star General. In his role as director of MidAmerica St. Louis Airport, James is responsible for management, development, planning and community relations for the airport and will direct projects related to air service expansion, tenant relations, business and land use development. Over the past three months, he has overseen continued improvements to the existing terminal in the wake of the June completion of the $34 million terminal expansion project, while also working with the team responsible for final work on the new Taxiway Lima project that will serve Boeing’s new MQ25 production facility currently under construction.
As part of the transition in leadership, Jennifer Hogancamp has been hired as Assistant Airport Director, bringing more than two decades of airport management leadership experience to her new position. Before joining MidAmerica St. Louis Airport, she most recently served as director of airports for Mobile Airport Authority, where she was responsible for directing and overseeing the day-to-day operations and development of three airports and an industrial complex in Alabama. Her experience also includes managing the day-to-day terminal operations and serving over 36 million passengers annually during her time as airport operations manager at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), as well as serving in various leadership roles at three different airports across Texas over a span of 14 years. In her
new role as Assistant Airport Director, Hogancamp will work closely with James to plan, organize, and direct the day-to-day activities of all maintenance, operations, and public safety functions of MidAmerica St. Louis Airport.
“We are excited to officially name Darren as Airport Director and welcome Jennifer as Assistant Airport Director,” said St. Clair County Chairman Mark Kern. “Darren has shown great leadership since taking over as interim director three months ago, and we are confident he is the best person to lead the airport as it continues to evolve. Jennifer’s impressive background makes her a perfect fit as Assistant Airport Director, and we look forward to watching her excel in her new role.”
James received his commission from the U.S. Air Force Academy, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Human Factors Engineering. He also holds three master’s degrees: a Master of Military Operational Art and Science from Air University, a Master of Science in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle University and a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy and Policy from the Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy. Hogancamp graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management from Southern Illinois University. She is also a certified member of the American Association of Airport Executives.
