Two finalists seeking to be the new manager at Juneau International Airport are scheduled to be interviewed separately Wednesday and Thursday, with each participating in a public meet-and-greet followed by a formal interview before the airport’s board of directors.
The board is scheduled to meet Friday to evaluate both as the new permanent manager to replace Patty Wahto, who retired April 30 after a 27-year career at the city-owned airport. The interim manager is Dave Palmer, who served as Juneau’s city manager from 1995 to 2002 and airport manager from 2006 to 2009, and in recent years has specialized in interim management roles for municipalities in Alaska and elsewhere.
The two permanent manager finalists announced Monday by the City and Borough of Juneau are:
• Michael Clow, former chief operating officer at Republic Airport in Long Island, New York, for eight years until departing in July of 2024 to start his own aviation services company. His experience in aviation management dating back to 1978 includes serving as an aviation maintenance and logistics manager for the U.S. Navy, a manager at regional airports in Florida and West Virginia, an airport system planner for the Federal Aviation Administration, and executive roles at Newark Liberty International Airport and Atlantic City International Airport.
“Best-in-class Aviation Expert who determines current and future operational needs while overseeing a wide range of programs and activities at local, state, and national airport systems,” the summary of his resume states. “Dynamic, innovative, and strategic leader that ensures attainment of operational and business goals. Well versed in management of aviation activities. Drives airport program efforts and represents airport with community, industry, and government stakeholders. Provides orderly and efficient operations while maintaining a strong focus on business, safety, security, and customer service.”
• Michael Isaacs, airport director at Lewiston-Nez Perce County Regional Airport in Lewiston, Idaho, since 2020. Prior to that he served as a municipal and regional airport manager in the Lower 48 between 1999 and 2020, except for a three-year period beginning in 2005 when he was a maintenance and operations superintendent for the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities focusing on highway and aviation facilities in Thompson Pass, Valdez, Cordova and Tatitlek.
“Experienced aviation executive with over 25 years of progressive leadership in airport management, including extensive work across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, and South Dakota,” his resume states. “Proven success in overseeing commercial service airports, driving infrastructure development, ensuring regulatory compliance, and fostering strong relationships with stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to secure air service, lead complex capital improvement projects, and manage high-performing airport teams under challenging operational conditions.”
Clow’s meet-and-greet is scheduled from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Alaska Room at Juneau’s airport, followed immediately by an interview by the board scheduled to last until 6:30 p.m. Isaacs will follow a similar schedule Thursday with a 4:30 p.m. meet-and-greet and 5:30 p.m. board interview.
Both of the board interviews are open to the public, although the end of each interview will be held in executive session, according to the city’s announcement.
The board and its hiring committee are scheduled to meet via Zoom at noon Friday and evaluate the candidates in executive session.
• Contact Mark Sabbatini at mark.sabbatini@juneauempire.com or (907) 957-2306.
