Michael Esher was recently named as Pierce Countys new airport administrator by Public Works and Utilities Director Brian Ziegler. He is responsible for the oversight and administration of Pierce County Airport (Thun Field) on South Hill. For the past three years he was director of properties for Alaska Airlines.
Mr. Esher brings with him an array of experiences and resources which will assist greatly in making Thun Field one of the leading general aviation airports in the Puget Sound region, Ziegler said. He has more than 25 years of aviation-related experience and has acquired a broad background in the airport industry.
At Alaska Airlines, his responsibilities extended to Alaska, Mexico and the continental U.S.
He also has held management positions with the Kansas City Aviation Department in Missouri, Raytheon Aircraft at Wichita, Kan. and Ogden Air Logistics Center in Utah.
His experience includes developing airport master plans, capitol improvement plans, operating budgets, state and federal grant applications, and user fee rate structures.
Ziegler said Esher has been effective in building strong working relationships with the neighborhood communities typically found around airports.
He has successfully worked with the FAA, governmental boards, commissions, community groups, and concerned individuals in resolving conflicts or ironing out differences in competing interests and priorities.
