The Springfield-Branson National Airport has named Brian Weiler the next director of aviation, effective Aug. 1. Weiler succeeds Gary Cyr, who retired in April.
Weiler, 45, currently serves as multimodal director for the Missouri Department of Transportation, where he is responsible for the state government's involvement in aviation, rail, waterways, transit and freight development. Prior to being hired to his current role in 2002, Weiler worked as MoDOT administrator of aviation 1997-2002 and director of aviation for the Johnson County Airport Commission in Johnson County, Kan., 1995-97, according to a news release from the city of Springfield.
“I am very excited about my selection and this opportunity,” Weiler said in the release. “The airport has undergone many recent improvements and is already a tremendous community asset.
"I’m looking forward to working with stakeholders to make it even better.”
Weiler will earn total pay of $119,658, comprising his base salary of $117,312 and an additional 2 percent that comes with being part of the city's Department Head Occupational Series, according to the release.
Weiler was selected from an initial pool of 64 applicants, which were screened by the city's Human Resources Department. The selection committee then conducted phone interviews with seven applicants in May, which narrowed the candidates down to three. Those applicants were interviewed on-site by the selection committee, City Manager Greg Burris and other city leaders.
“Our community is extremely fortunate to have Brian Weiler as our new director of aviation,” Burris said in the release. “Brian’s proven leadership abilities, combined with his professionalism and experience at the local, state and national levels, make him a great fit for Springfield. He will be a great addition to our leadership team, and I look forward to working with him.”
The selection committee consisted of six members of the Airport Board - Jim Enyart, Richard Bottorf, Charlotte Hardin, Tom Barr, Brent Singleton and Howard Fisk - and three other members - Ryan Mooney, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce; Collin Quigley, assistant city manager; and Sheila Maerz, human resources director for the city of Springfield.
The full Airport Board voted unanimously June 16 to offer the position to Weiler.
“Brian has a proven track record of leadership and airport management,” said Airport Board Chairman Jim Enyart, who also was the chairman of the committee, in the release. “He has a firm grasp on not only the aviation industry, but also the larger transportation picture as a whole and the many strategic issues we face going forward.”
Shawn Schroeder, Springfield-Branson National Airport assistant director, has served as interim director of aviation since March 24.[[In-content Ad]]
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