Gabe Monzo, who has seen plenty of takeoffs and landings during his more than four decades working for the Westmoreland County Airport Authority — including the last 17 as its executive director — announced Tuesday he will retire from that role at the end of April.
“While the responsibilities seem daunting it’s been enjoyable. I’ve been able to witness a remarkable transformation of these airports,” Monzo told authority board members.
He fought through tears while reading a statement.
Monzo, 70, has served as executive director of the authority, which oversees operations at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Unity and the county’s small airport in Rostraver, since 2008.
He was initially hired in 1983 to serve in the maintenance department at what was then known as the Westmoreland County Regional Airport. He later served as head of the facility’s fire protection staff before he moved to management and was promoted to executive director following the retirement of longtime director Gene Lakin.
Monzo, as the airport’s top executive, oversaw a transformation from a small commuter airport that at times offered limited commercial service into a facility that, over the last decade and a half, has daily operated passenger service through Spirit Airlines to destinations in Florida, South Carolina, and in past years, Dallas and Las Vegas.
Spirit currently flies to Orlando five days a week from Westmoreland County, even as the financially struggling budget airline goes through its second bankruptcy. The authority last month hired an outside consultant to seek additional commercial service at the facility.
Meanwhile, work is ongoing on a $22 million expansion of the airport’s terminal building, with the first phase of project expected to be completed this spring. The work will add a new passenger gate, relocation of security lines and the baggage retrieval area and in the next year new administrative offices.
Authority board chairman Paul Whittaker praised Monzo’s leadership.
“He’s done a phenomenal job. It’s not an 8-hour day, it’s a 24-hour-a-day job,” Whittaker said.
Westmoreland County Commissioner Doug Chew said Monzo’s tenure has pushed the airport to new heights.
“Gabe’s retirement will be a loss for Westmoreland County and the Westmoreland County airport. I’m confident the board will have things in place to continue its stellar operation,” Chew said.
Monzo said he first considered retirement as his 70th birthday approached in October. Over the last several months, he started to craft a succession plan that includes his staying on for about six months as a paid consultant while also recommending airport manager Maurice Haas to replace him as executive director.
“I want to keep things moving forward and I still want to be involved. Moe is 99% of way through the transition. I have complete faith in Moe. He loves the airport as much as I do,” Monzo said.
Haas, 61, of Latrobe, has worked for the authority since 1990 and said Tuesday he has interest in replacing Monzo.
Whittaker said the authority board has yet to formally discuss how to replace Monzo or finalize and approve a consulting deal for the outgoing director. Haas will be considered for the job and there remains an option to conduct a wider search for a new director, he said.
“We haven’t decided yet and we want to talk to the (county) commissioners so they have a say,” Whittaker said.