Airport names new director

David Schaumburg: SGF airport is planning to add up to six more gates.

Springfield-Branson National Airport has hired its next director of aviation, the top role at the organization. 

David Schaumburg is scheduled to start June 28, according to a news release. He’ll succeed Brian Weiler, who announced his retirement earlier this year after starting in the position in 2011, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting.  

The director of aviation position is a promotion for Schaumburg, who has served as assistant director of aviation over operations and maintenance since 2017. 

“Dave’s proven track record serving the airport since 2017 as assistant director and his commitment to excellence make him the ideal choice to lead the airport, which is a vital economic engine and asset for the city of Springfield,” City Manager David Cameron said in the release. 

Schaumburg also has experience as airport manager of Denton Enterprise Airport in Texas and assistant manager of airport operations at Kansas City International Airport. 

Schaumburg’s salary in the Springfield airport director role will be $220,000, according to the release. There were 45 applicants following a national search with Schaumburg selected among three finalists, according to city officials.  

“I’m incredibly honored and excited to step into the role of director of aviation at Springfield-Branson National Airport,” Schaumburg said via email. “This airport has been an important part of my career, and it’s an absolute privilege to now help guide its future. I look at it as both a responsibility and opportunity – responsibility to our community, our partners and our team and an opportunity to continue strengthening SGF as a connection point and gateway for southwest Missouri.” 

Schaumburg’s promotion comes amid record-setting visitation at the Springfield airport. More than 1.5 million passengers used the airport in 2025, setting the third straight record year, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting.  

It’s also been a busy time for projects at the airport, and Schaumburg said he’s had a hand in some capacity with every major construction development since he came on the job nearly a decade ago.  

The Springfield airport began work last August on a roughly $4.4 million flooring replacement project, according to past SBJ reporting. The 92,000-square-foot initiative calls for the removal of carpet and the addition of terrazzo, a hard surface made with liquid resin, chips of glass and stone, in phases to reduce customer interruptions. The project led by general contractor Nabholz Construction Corp. is estimated to conclude in August, according to airport officials.  

The airport also recently completed its terminal apron expansion project that saw nearly $10 million of concrete poured. Additionally, five jet bridges from the late 1990s were replaced in fall 2025 through a $7.6 million project that included a $5.3 million grant. 

“This all represents years of thoughtful coordination to prepare us for a future terminal building expansion,” Schaumburg said. “This community continues to support the airport by choosing to fly SGF and that utilization is making our market connectivity more and more appealing to our airline partners. The growth in passenger numbers will likely have us selecting a design team this year and preparing for an expansion to likely add up to six more gates.” 

Additionally, he said the airport has a new T-hangar development and a taxiway intersection reconstruction project out for bid.  

“We also have an expansion to our jet fuel farm releasing for bid in the coming weeks,” he said, noting the three projects likely represent over $20 million in investments. A fuel farm is dedicated infrastructure that stores and distributes aviation fuel.