BRADLEY GETS NEW ACTING ADMINISTRATOR; SHUFFLING OF PERSONNEL SETS STAGE FOR NATIONAL SEARCH FOR PERMANENT REPLACEMENT

Barry J. Pallanck steps down today as administrator of Bradley International Airport, clearing the way for state officials to search for ``a visionary leader'' to replace him.

Pallanck, who has been Bradley's acting administrator since 2004, begins his new job today as assistant airport administrator for five smaller state-run airports, Gov. M. Jodi Rell announced Thursday in a prepared statement.

Stephen E. Korta II, who was Bradley's administrator before he was promoted in 2004 to commissioner of the state Department of Transportation, will return today as the airport's administrator until the state finds a permanent hire. Korta was named the state's transportation aviation administrator last year.

``Bradley is among the fastest-growing airports in the country, and we need a visionary leader to enhance its already excellent reputation for marketing and customer service,'' Rell said.

``Barry [Pallanck] has been acting for a couple years. The governor has decided that Bradley is one of the key engines of our economy, and it's probably the time for a national search to find someone who can keep it moving toward the next level,'' Rell spokesman Chris Cooper said. ``The decision was made to go get the very best, best person we could find in the country.''

Under Pallanck's tenure, the state-run airport saw its first daily, nonstop international service: Northwest Airlines began flights to Amsterdam last month. It was also announced last week that the European aircraf maker Airbus plans to land one if its A380 ``superjumbo'' jets, the world's largest passenger aircraft, at Bradley in early October.

As assistant airport administrator, Pallanck will help oversee Danielson, Groton-New London, Hartford-Brainard, Waterbury-Oxford and Windham airports. According to Bradley's website, Pallanck managed the same airports from 1985 to 1998.

While serving as Bradley's interim administrator, Korta will still hold his title as the state's transportation aviation administrator.

``The idea is that Stephen Korta was the administrator there when Bradley put some of the things in motion that brought us to today,'' Cooper said.

Bradley now generates $4 billion in economic activity in Connecticut and the surrounding region, including $1.2 billion in wages and 18,000 full-time jobs. It also serves as a base for the U.S. Army and Air National Guard.

Korta said he was asked earlier this week to accept the administrator's post on an interim basis, but he declined to comment on the reasons for the switch.

Pallanck was not present for a regular meeting of Bradley board of directors held Thursday, although he was scheduled to make a report to members, according to the agenda. Korta spoke instead.

David Kilbon, a longtime member of Bradley's board of directors, said Rell's announcement came as a surprise Thursday.

``I think the move today was something of a surprise to everyone to be honest,'' Kilbon said, ``but I think it's recognition that the airport is a valuable asset and now the administration is looking nationwide for someone who can step in. I don't think it's the result of dissatisfaction or tension.''

In an interview after Thursday's meeting, board Chairman L. Scott Frantz declined to speak about the specific circumstances leading up to Pallanck's departure but said he made no recommendation to state transportation officials regarding it.

``Barry is a very talented, experienced manager,'' Frantz said.

In the next airport administrator, Frantz said he will be looking for business development skills and an ability to cultivate ``esprit de corps'' and to ``deal with all the airport's constituents.''

The airport leadership's top, short-term priorities are pushing airlines to increase the number of seats available to travelers and driving down fares, he said.

Rell said in her statement that she is looking for an administrator who would help enhance the airport's reputation for ``service to tourists and business travelers, as well as numerous mail and freight-based businesses.''

Contact Lynn Doan at [email protected]