The search for a new manager to lead Juneau International Airport has entered a pivotal phase, with Andres Delgado, the airport’s current operations and maintenance superintendent, now standing as the sole active applicant for the position.
The vacancy was created earlier this year following the retirement of longtime Airport Manager Patty Wahto. The Airport Board engaged ADK Executive Recruitment to lead the national search and began screening candidates in coordination with the Hiring Committee. After an initial round of interviews, two finalists were invited to Juneau for an in-person process held June 11–13. However, neither candidate was selected to fill the role.
Delgado, a well-known figure within the airport’s leadership structure, submitted his application shortly before the finalist interviews but was not considered at the time due to timing. When the original search failed to yield a hire, the board decided to interview Delgado on July 21.
At present, he remains the only active applicant for the position.
With Interim Airport Manager Dave Palmer scheduled to step down later this month, the Airport Board is now evaluating next steps. During its Aug. 7 meeting, the board is expected to discuss three potential options in executive session:
- Appoint Andres Delgado as the new Airport Manager. While a formal appointment is not expected at the Aug. 7 meeting, the board may choose to authorize the Human Resources and Risk Management director to explore the terms of a conditional offer to Delgado, pending full board approval.
- Reengage ADK Executive Recruitment to reach out to additional candidates who previously expressed interest but did not complete the screening process. This would allow for a renewed round of interviews and potentially reopen the finalist phase.
- Repost the position and accept new applications. ADK has offered to conduct a second round of recruitment for a reduced fee of $4,000 — down from the original $6,000 — or the board could opt to manage the posting through the City and Borough of Juneau’s internal recruitment process.
Should the board decide to pursue additional recruitment, or if Delgado declines an offer, the board would also need to appoint a new interim airport manager, as Palmer has indicated he will not remain in the role beyond his original term.
The Airport Board is expected to provide direction on the next steps at the Aug. 7 meeting.
Maybe they could just hire an LGBT teenager from Texas with zero experience. Eventually, that approach will work won’t it?
Executive recruitment is a joke. You can’t get more liberal than that.
No one in their right mind would take that position. The board ALWAYS sets unreasonable expectations, and blames the Manager when their wants and desires are not all met.
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Want a position where you can be assured of removal for things you have no control over? Apply.
Apparently you have no real knowledge of how the airport and the board have functioned. Show me where a manager has been removed. The board always cries when they leave.
Considering the accessibility of the airport this position is critical. It is the only state capital or any city of any size in the United States where you cannot enter by vehicle (without a ferry). One wonders why he did not initially apply.