Yakima Airport Director Finalists to Meet the Community at Open House

Yakima residents will have a chance to meet the two finalists vying to become the next Yakima Airport Director during an open house scheduled for Monday, December 8th. The event happens from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Yakima Airport office, located at 2406 W. Washington Avenue, Suite B.

CAN'T OR DIDN'T MAKE THE MEETING MONDAY?

The finalists are Robert Jacobs and Christopher Hopkins. In addition to the public open house, both candidates will meet with airport staff on Monday and later be interviewed by City Manager Vicki Baker and Assistant City Manager Gary Ballew.

READ MORE: BLM Cuts Christmas Tree and Firewood Permit Fees to $1

ONE CANDIDATE WORKING IN MEMPHIS IS ALSO A PILOT

Jacobs currently manages airside operations for the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority in Memphis. He has spent nearly two decades as operations duty manager there and has held operational roles at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport, and Orlando International Airport. Jacobs is an Accredited Airport Executive and Airport Certified Employee, and he’s also a former FAA-certified flight instructor and commercial pilot.

ONE CANDIDATE A SPECIALIST IN SECURITY

Hopkins most recently served as a consultant developing Aerospace Center of Excellence locations at U.S. airports. Previously, he was assistant director of aviation at Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport and held a vice president role at HSS, Inc., overseeing security teams at major airports including Denver, Atlanta, Washington Dulles, Salt Lake City, and Milwaukee. He also served as COO of Wings Over the Rockies-Exploration of Flight in Denver, which educates the public about aerospace.

THE TOP TWO FOUND THROUGH A NATIONWIDE SEARCH

The city’s Human Resources Department led a nationwide search for Yakima's new airport director following the resignation of the previous director. The finalists were selected after screening a large applicant pool and interviewing three semi-finalists with input from senior city staff.