City officials are “disappointed” after the manager of the Columbia Regional Airport stepped down from her position.
Tamara Pitts took her job as manager on Sept. 12 as part of a shift in the airport’s leadership. Her last day at work was Friday, according to a Monday announcement from the city. It was not immediately clear why she stepped down.
Pitts’ resignation comes as city officials put together major infrastructure improvements for the airport, including a reconstructed runway and new terminal.
“The airport’s in a particularly critical place right now,” Second Ward City Councilman Michael Trapp said, “so it was disappointing to see Tamara Pitts didn’t end up working out.”
Trapp says the airport staff will be “a little bit thin” as planning continues for the runway and terminal projects. Still, he said he doesn’t see it affecting the long-term picture.
“I think it’s a small bump in the road,” he said, adding “big institutions aren’t dependent upon personalities or people.”
Stacey Button, the city’s director of economic development, will take over much of Pitts’ duties, and lead the search for her replacement.
City human resources director Margrace Buckler says the upcoming holiday season could affect the search for Pitts’ replacement, since that’s typically a difficult time for recruiting.
