The Williamsport Municipal Airport Authority Chairman, Frank G. Pellegrino, announced in a news release that its board has unanimously ratified the selection of Eric B. McKitish, Sr. as the next executive director of the Williamsport Regional Airport and Ahmad Nawaz, as the senior airport manager, succeeding Richard C. Howell, the current executive director who will be retiring with his last formal meeting on April 10 of this year.

“After thorough succession planning and a comprehensive search process, the board is pleased to have found the best individuals to assume leadership of our world-class organization,” said Suzette Snyder, chairwoman of the personnel committee who led the search process that began in October 2024, the news release added.

“Eric McKitish has a 35-plus-year track record that is strong in leadership but extremely complimentary in what we need immediately for our success for the flying-public. This combined with his deep airport and airline knowledge and institutional tenure makes Eric uniquely qualified to lead (the airport) successfully into the future,” said Pellegrino, according to the news release.

“The selection of both Eric McKitish and Ahmad Nawaz caps a search process facilitated by a review of the internal organization and reviewing the strengths of the team and providing complimentary manpower in strategic areas by placing these two executives in our organization” stated, Chris Logue, member of the search committee and vice chair of the board.

“We had a very large pool of candidates and interviewed a top five pool from as far as Vancouver, Colorado and Utah. Everyone was interested in Williamsport, everyone loved the area, everyone loved the team and everyone was up for the challenge. Not one of the candidates exited the process and every candidate was extremely excited and motivated about our area and the challenges this position poses,” added Pellegrino.

“The interview process was extensive, including the entire board, the lead County Commissioner, the CEO of the chamber of Commerce, airport employees, airfield representation and input from our community at large,” said Logue.

“I’m honored, and I’m grateful to the board for the opportunity to lead this exceptional organization. Your airport is beautiful, your area is beautiful, your team is dedicated, talented, and the area deserves to have air service. I will work hard, devoting the energy and time to bringing the right carriers and the right opportunities to Williamsport,” said McKitish, according to the news release. “This is a terrific opportunity that any leader would welcome and I am ready for the challenges.”

McKitish, Sr., is a 35 plus year career veteran at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Airport serving in roles from director of marketing, communications and air service development to roles in public relations, guest services, office manager, public safety and air show support coordinator. A native of Northeast Pennsylvania, currently residing in Pittston, he is married and has three children and three granddaughters. He is also a district commissioner with Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer and has been involved with regional youth soccer programs and Little League Baseball. He is also a church organist for various faiths.

“To have the opportunity at this point in my career to work with such talented people, to learn from them and to contribute to the team at a high energy level is my aspiration. I am so pleased to have this opportunity in Williamsport. My wife and I are looking forward to relocating to Williamsport over the next few weeks. The challenges, the people and the opportunity excite me, said Nawaz, according to the news release.

Nawaz, holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a bachelor’s degree in business management from CUNY-Brooklyn and a masters of science in aviation management from CUNY-York. He is airport certified in NOTAM, FAR 139, and comes to Williamsport from Republic Airport in Farmingdale, New York. Previous work experience includes senior operations coordinator and supervisor for Avports, assistant safety and fire chief, operations coordinator with Emirates Airlines at John F. Kennedy Airport and project management overview at major construction management companies. Nawaz is married and will be relocating from Brooklyn.