Terry Slaybaugh, Mitchell International Airport's new director is now on the job

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Terry Slaybaugh is the new airport director for Mitchell International Airport -- and he was officially introduced on Wednesday, February 18th.

Prior to his arrival in Milwaukee, Slaybaugh was running the airport in Dayton, Ohio where he led an aggressive airport modernization capital program and helped the airport maintain fiscal stability during a turbulent time in the airline industry.

As he takes over at Mitchell International Airport, Slaybaugh says his biggest challenge is adding more direct flights, and he says he needs help from local businesses.

"For us to be successful in getting some of the tougher markets that people want to see direct service to out of Milwaukee, I'm going to need the business community with me telling me what they're doing in those markets and why it's important to them," Slaybaugh said.

Slaybaugh was hired after an extensive nationwide search and interview process, he replaces Barry Bateman who retired in April.

“In the almost four years I've been in office, I have been directly involved with hiring decisions for leadership in many departments because I know the most important factor in any organization's success is its leadership.  I've worked hard to bring to the County not just competence and experience, but the kind of drive and passion that consistently outperforms expectations.  Terry is no exception.  He's a leader who enthusiastically shares my vision of making Mitchell a model for efficiency, customer service, aggressive and proactive engagement with the business community, and a strong strategic partner in economic development and planning,” County Executive Chris Abele said.

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