Mayor Hayward issues statement on departure of airport director

Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward announced today that Greg Donovan, Director of the City-owned Pensacola International Airport (PNS), will leave to take a position as the Executive Director of the Melbourne Airport Authority / Melbourne International Airport (MLB), located in Melbourne, Florida.

“Greg has been an incredible asset both to my team and to our airport,” said Mayor Hayward. “His expertise, passion, and leadership have been invaluable, and with his help we have been able to make great progress at Pensacola International Airport. This is a great opportunity for Greg to advance his career, and I wish him the very best as he transitions into this new endeavor.”

During Donovan’s tenure as director, Pensacola International Airport added new service from Southwest Airlines and Silver Airways, increased seat capacity by 13%, oversaw the completion of the 127-room Hyatt Place hotel on the Airport campus, and secured more than $21 million in aviation-specific grants from the Federal Aviation Administration and Florida Department of Transportation. Donovan also played a key role in the adoption of a strategic land use plan for the airport and the negotiations with VT Systems to locate a maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) facility at PNS.

Donovan will remain with the airport through the end of July.

“I appreciate Mayor Hayward’s strong leadership and the opportunity to lead Pensacola International Airport through a truly exciting time,” said Donovan. “Serving as Pensacola’s airport director has been a wonderful experience, and I am so proud of everything my staff and I have been able to accomplish. We have laid the groundwork for bringing new aerospace industries and jobs to our community and I am confident that Pensacola International Airport is well-positioned for continued success.”

Donovan is familiar with the Melbourne area, as a graduate of the Melbourne-based Florida Institute of Technology, a leading university with nationally-recognized aviation programs.

“This is a very exciting career opportunity, and I am looking forward to working with the airport authority staff and board members who are focused on business development on Florida’s Space Coast,” said Donovan. “I’m also excited about returning and collaborating with my alma mater to explore ways to advance aviation, engineering, and economic development,” said Donovan.

Hayward said that he would immediately begin the search for a new Airport Director. “Pensacola International Airport is a critical asset for our city and an economic engine for our entire region,” said Hayward. “Having the right leader in place is crucial as we work to continue our airport’s strong growth and maintain its competitive position as the leading airport between New Orleans and Jacksonville.”