Neil Doran, an airport administrator from Westbrook, CT, has been hired as the newest executive director of the Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport.
He succeeds Bill Walkup, who had served as airport manager for more than two decades. Walkup left the airport earlier this summer to pursue other interests.
In addition to years of marketing and administrative experience, Doran has held general aviation leadership positions at Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport’s corporate jet center, Robinson Aviation, as well as a JetStream Ground Services (Delta Airlines) ramp management role at the Hartford-Bradley International Airport.
“We are extremely pleased that Neil has accepted our offer. He is a highly qualified, energetic individual with lots of ideas on how to move the airport forward,” said Airport Authority chairman Rick Wachtel. “We are confident that he will make a large impact with his interest and background in marketing and development of the airport.”
Doran is an honors graduate of both Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide (summa cum laude) and Guilford Technical Community College of Greensboro, North Carolina (president’s list). He earned an associate’s degree in aviation management and a bachelor’s degree in aeronautics with a minor in airport management. He is also a member of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) and holds Airport Certified Employee-Operations (ACE) and Certified Member (C.M.) credentials reflecting comprehensive knowledge of airport management principles.
The 13-member Airport Authority received more than 25 applications for the position from airport professionals across the nation. The Authority’s personnel committee first conducted phone interviews and then in-person interviews before making Doran’s recommendation to the full Authority.
Doran said he is thrilled to take the job, adding. “I have always loved making airports better. I see so much potential here,” Doran said. “This part of West Virginia has so much to offer. This airport is wonderfully located in the heart of the mid-Atlantic region.
Doran, 33, is moving to the region with his wife, Jessica and two young daughters. His first day at the Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport will be Sept. 19.
For more information, contact Wachtel at (304) 268-6490.
