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PITTSTON TWP. \u2014 Addressing the issue of hiring a new executive director at the Wilkes-Barre\/Scranton International Airport, Bi-County Airport acting Board Chair Chris Belles wanted to make one thing clear.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis place is under stable leadership \u2014 strong leadership,\u201d Belles said. \u201cOur staff here at the airport does an excellent job, and we have confidence in them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Belles made the comments before adjourning Thursday\u2019s airport board meeting, addressing Wednesday\u2019s news that the candidate they hired in August to fill the position \u2014 left vacant when Carl Beardsley Jr. resigned \u2014 withdrew his name from consideration.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, Belles said Kim William \u201cBill\u201d Hopper \u2014 the man who was unanimously appointed to the post last month \u2014 decided to not accept the job. Details of why Hopper made that decision were not disclosed, as Belles cited personnel matters must remain confidential.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter a nationwide search and many hours of interviews and research, the airport\u2019s board of directors selected the candidate we believed was best qualified to serve as executive director,\u201d Belles said in an emailed statement distributed Wednesday. \u201cThe board and the candidate were unable to reach an agreement on the terms of a contract, and he has withdrawn from consideration.\u201d<\/p>\n
Beardsley took a sabbatical in November. The board responded by appointing Stephen Mykulyn, director of engineering, as the interim executive director and hiring ADK Consulting & Executive Search for $47,574 to conduct a nationwide search. Mykulyn did not apply for the permanent appointment.<\/p>\n
Belles said the board is intent on hiring the most qualified person for the job, and he listed several options that the board will discuss moving forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are, and we will be working on this,\u201d Belles said. \u201cWe will find the best person to lead this airport.\u201d<\/p>\n
Belles said the board will examine all options and decide what course it will take going forward. He said the board could decide to re-advertise the position, reevaluate the final candidates that were interviewed, or attempt to try to negotiate with Hopper \u2014 an option Belles said would be \u201cunlikely\u201d since Hopper withdrew. Belles said Mykulyn would also be considered.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe search continues, informed by the valuable perspective we have gained,\u201d Belles said. \u201cWe are working together to determine the appropriate next steps.\u201d<\/p>\n
Belles did not offer a timeline on how long it will take to hire a new executive director.<\/p>\n
\u201dAs long as it takes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
In August, all six members of the Bi-County Airport Board praised Hopper as the best candidate for the job and they all voted for him.<\/p>\n
The members of the board are Belles, Luzerne County Council member LeeAnn McDermott, Luzerne County Manager Romilda Crocamo, Lackawanna County Commissioners Bill Gaughan and Thom Welby, and attorney Chris Munley. Munley was appointed to temporarily fill the seat of Lackawanna County Commissioner Chris Chermak, who \u201cstepped aside\u201d to apply for the executive director\u2019s job.<\/p>\n
Belles said Chermak remains a candidate for the position.<\/p>\n
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 start date was set for Nov. 1.<\/p>\n
The position was advertised at a maximum salary of $150,000 per year.<\/p>\n
In other business Thursday, the board:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Approved the financial report of Chris Dalessandro, director of finance, who said airport operations had an income totaling $274,705, compared to an income of $215,484 in August 2025 \u2014 a difference of $57,221.<\/p>\n
Dalessandro said year-to-date profit is $1,484,383, compared to $1,316,431 in 2025 \u2014 a difference of $177,952.<\/p>\n
Invoices received since the last meeting for supplies and services totaled $344,921.93, including major construction project costs of $112,548.33.63<\/p>\n
\u2022 Heard Michelle Aigeldinger, director of human resources, recognize two airport employees for their hard work and dedication.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Jodi Sibio, 10 years of service; Aug. 29.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Heather Foreman, 5 years of service; Sept. 7.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Reviewed air service development with Beth Coslett, director of passenger activity.<\/p>\n
Coslett reported that passenger enplanements for August 2026 increased 5.8% to 24,156, from 22,835 in August 2025.<\/p>\n
In August 2026, Coslett said six departing flights were canceled, all for weather. This accounts for 417 seats (1.7%) out of a total of 28,594 departure seats. Also, five arriving flights were canceled, all for weather.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Approved a lease agreement between the airport and Fly Gateway for classroom rental space to begin on Oct. 1 and run through Dec. 31, with the option of two one-year renewals.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Approved the Cooperative Service Agreement between the airport (AVP) and U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Wildlife Service (WS) for Wildlife Management Service and training as defined in the Work Plan of the attached agreement. The agreement for professional services has a one-year term and is provided for an amount not to exceed $27,000 to be billed quarterly.<\/p>\n
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