Smithville Hires New Airport Manager

The City of Smithville has hired Michael Carpenter as Smithville Municipal Airport’s newest manager.

Carpenter said he looks forward to the opportunity.

“I’m very excited. A lot needs to be done,” Carpenter said. “We have a great airport community, but I think we need to improve our facilities somewhat. There’s a lot of things we can do to make the awareness of the airport community of a [higher] status.”

Smithville’s Board of Aldermen voted Monday evening to hire Carpenter. The job opened after former manager Joe Johnson retired from his position.

Carpenter said he wants to eliminate any misconceptions citizens may have when it comes to the airport.

“The stigma of airports is usually of people who have rich bling and those types of things,” Carpenter said. “I want to make it part of the community, something that people are aware of and can feel proud of, and just increase the scope of the airport for the community.”

The city’s airport board made the recommendation last month to hire Carpenter for the position of airport manager.

Carpenter comes into the position with 15 years experience in the aviation industry and currently owns an airplane at the Smithville airport.