PITTSTON TWP. — When the motion was made to hire a new executive director at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport on Thursday, Kim William “Bill” Hopper had the votes — all six members of the Bi-County Airport Board voted for him.
Hopper, who served as executive director of the Pitt-Greenville Airport Authority in North Carolina from February 2019 through June 2026, is expected to sign a five-year contract. His starting date is reportedly Nov. 1.
Luzerne County Councilman Chris Belles, vice chair of the airport board, said Hopper’s contract details and salary are still under negotiation. The position was advertised at a maximum salary of $150,000 per year.
All six members of the Bi-County Airport Board praised Hopper as the best candidate for the job and they all voted for him: 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 “stepped aside” to apply for the executive director’s job.
Chermak is expected to return to the Bi-County Airport Board.
The hiring of Hopper ends a months-long national search conducted by ADK Consulting, which was paid $47,000 to find a replacement for Carl Beardsley Jr., who resigned earlier this year.
“I am thrilled to congratulate Bill Hopper on his appointment as executive director of AVP,” Crocamo said. “This airport is the lifeblood of Northeastern Pennsylvania, a powerful driver of our regional economy and a gateway that connects our communities to the world.”
Crocamo said Luzerne County can’t wait to get to work with Hopper, alongside Lackawanna County, as the airport pushes forward into an exciting new chapter.
“With his leadership and the outstanding dedication of the airport’s staff, this team is ready to take AVP to new heights,” Crocamo said.
Gaughan, who was a constant advocate for hiring the most qualified person for the executive director’s position, also said he was extremely pleased with the appointment of Hopper.
“Throughout this process, I have consistently said that a national search should result in one thing — the most qualified person for the job,” Gaughan said. “After reviewing the candidates and participating in the interview process, I believe Mr. Hopper clearly meets that standard.”
Gaughan said Hopper brings decades of professional aviation experience, more than 20 years of executive airport leadership, a degree in aviation management, extensive knowledge of FAA regulations, and a strong record in financial management, capital development, air service and community engagement.
“Just as importantly, I was impressed by his approach to leadership,” Gaughan said. “He understands that an executive director works for and with the board, keeps the board informed, listens to employees, engages the community and develops a long-term strategy for the airport.”
Gaughan said the airport is one of the most important economic assets in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
“This position requires an experienced aviation professional who can walk in on day one, understand the complexities of running a commercial airport, and help us grow it for the future,” Gaughan said. “I believe Bill Hopper is that person.”
The other four members of the airport board — Belles, Welby, Munley and McDermott — echoed the same sentiments, agreeing that Hopper was the best, most qualified candidate for the job.
About Bill Hopper
Contacted at his home in North Carolina, Hopper said he is excited about returning to the Northeast. He said he spent a lot of time in New York state, having worked at airports in Elmira and Binghamton, where he said he hired Beardsley as an intern.
“I am very pleased to be able to come to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and build on the great work of Carl Beardsley,” Hopper said. “There is so much potential there and I can’t wait to get started growing the economic development of the region.”
Work history
• 2019 – present — Pitt Greenville Airport Authority: executive director
• 2016 – 2019 Elmira-Corning Regional Airport: director of aviation
• 1994 – 2016 Pease Airport Management Department: airport manager, deputy airport manager
• 1990 – 1993 Binghamton Regional Airport: airport operations supervisor
• 1988 – 1990 Blast Deflectors, Inc.: assistant manager
• 1986 – 1988 Omaha Airport Authority: airport operations supervisor
• 1982 – 1986 U.S. Marine Corps
ADK’s summary
• Hopper brings more than 20 years of executive airport leadership experience, having served as the chief executive of multiple airports and regularly reporting to governing boards throughout his career.
• His responses reflected extensive experience in airport administration, board governance, regulatory compliance, financial management, capital development, community engagement, and organizational leadership.
• Throughout the interview, he emphasized preparation, transparency, fiscal responsibility, employee development, and building strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
• He described a highly visible leadership style that emphasizes both employee engagement and development.
• He also has extensive industry involvement, including leadership within the American Association of Airport Executives.
• Although much of his experience has been at somewhat smaller airports, he believes that AVP’s size and complexity align well with his background.