PITTSTON TWP. — After circling for several months, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport finally landed its new executive director Thursday.
As Chris Belles, acting chair of the Bi-County Airport Board, put it, “Our treasure was here all along.”
The six-member board voted unanimously to name interim Executive Director Steve Mykulyn permanent director of the airport, effective immediately.
Mykulyn’s salary will be $150,000 per year for the three-year contract term, which also includes two one-year extension options.
Mykulyn, 59, of Plains Township, also previously served as the airport’s director of engineering.
He was appointed interim executive director in March, filling the position left vacant when Carl Beardsley Jr. resigned.
The appointment of Mykulyn ends a national search for a new executive director that was thought to have ended in August, when the board appointed Kim William “Bill” Hopper, only for him to decline the appointment after the board and the candidate could not agree on the terms of his contract. Hopper withdrew from consideration in September.
“The board and the candidate were unable to reach an agreement on the terms of a contract, and he has withdrawn from consideration,” Belles said at the September board meeting. “The board remains steadfast. We will ensure that the airport — one of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s crown jewels — gets the leader it deserves.”
Hopper, who served as executive director of the Pitt-Greenville Airport Authority in North Carolina from February 2019 through June 2026, was expected to sign a five-year contract. His starting date was to be Nov. 1.
The board met in executive session on two occasions prior to Thursday’s meeting and again prior to voting on appointment Mykulyn. Board member Bill Gaughan wanted to see the contract being offered, so the board paused the meeting to discuss it behind closed doors. They returned 15 minutes later and appointed Mykulyn.
All six members of the Bi-County Airport Board voted for him, praising him as the best candidate for the job — Belles, fellow Luzerne County Council member LeeAnn McDermott, Luzerne County Manager Romilda Crocamo, Lackawanna County Commissioners Gaughan and Thom Welby, and attorney Chris Munley. Munley was appointed to temporarily fill the seat of Lackawanna County Commissioner Chris Chermak, who “stepped aside” to apply for the executive director’s job.
Chermak submitted a letter congratulating Mykulyn that was read into the record. Chermak said he will return to the airport board for its next meeting and Munley’s service will end.
Mykulyn accepts job
The board asked Mykulyn if he wanted to offer any comments on his appointment.
“There are many reasons why an aircraft might be diverted en route and need to make an unscheduled landing,” Mykulyn said. “Over the past few years our airport has dealt with many of these metaphorically. But the weather is clearing, systems are being checked and re-checked. Some passengers have deplaned and new passengers have boarded. The plane has been refueled and we now have clearance for take-off.”
Belles comments
Belles used an Irish tale called “The Treasure at Limerick Bridge” to describe the journey of selecting a new executive director:
“A man dreams of finding gold at Limerick Bridge. When he travels there, he meets a second man who has dreamed of treasure buried in a field — which happens to be the first man’s own field. The first man returns home, digs, and discovers his treasure was there all along.
“Today, I’m pleased to announce that following a national search, an extensive selection process, and all of the perspective that could only have come from the board’s own metaphorical trip to Limerick Bridge, the Bi-County Airport Board has chosen Stephen Mykulyn, P.E., as the next executive director of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport.
“As it often does with a board of directors, it took us time and consideration to figure out what the staff of this airport knew all along. Steve is a treasure, a trusted leader, and the best person to lead you forward. Once we vote, he will no longer be interim, and he will have all of the power to lead and the support of the board to do so. To the team here at Avoca — thank you for your patience.
“Steve brings 16 years of service as our director of engineering, along with earlier experience working with the airport as a consultant. He knows this airport’s infrastructure, its people, and the work required to prepare it for the future. To paraphrase his own words — this airport has been where Steve has spent almost all of his professional life.
“Steve has helped oversee improvements to our taxiways, terminal, and other essential facilities. He’s spent decades focused on safer operations, better service, and a more comfortable experience for our travelers.
“This airport is one of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s crown jewels. It connects our families, supports our businesses, and opens our region to opportunity. The board is glad the airport will benefit from Steve’s capable leadership, careful stewardship, and ambition to make the airport the best it can be.
“Steve, congratulations, and thank you for accepting this responsibility. We look forward to working with you and the entire airport staff to give our region even more reasons to Fly AVP.”
Those in attendance clapped and cheered following Belles’ statement.
Luzerne County Manager called in
Due to an out-of-town commitment , Luzerne County Manager Romilda Crocamo dialed into the board meeting, but had to leave following the vote.
She submitted a statement for the record:
“Steve, this board knows your work. For 16 years as director of engineering, you’ve been behind nearly every major improvement at this airport: the taxiways, the terminal access road, the emergency medical response hangar, the terminal expansion. Those projects don’t happen without someone who understands the details and stays on them until the job is done.
Since March, you’ve served as interim executive director while still carrying your engineering duties. You kept this airport running and kept its projects moving during a transition. That told us a great deal about what kind of leader you are.
You also understand that AVP doesn’t operate in isolation. On behalf of Luzerne County, congratulations. I look forward to working with you as you lead this airport forward.”
Former director present
Barry Centini, who worked at the airport for 42 years — executive director for 25 years — attended the meeting and was asked to speak after Mykulyn was appointed.
“I’ve attended more than 500 board meetings at this airport, and I can say that I am very pleased that Steve got the job,” Centini said. “I can say for sure that this was the right decision.”
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.