Courtney Johnson Tapped To Lead San Luis Obispo County Regional And Oceano Airports
by Heather Cassell
San Luis Obispo County Regional and Oceano airports appointed Courtney Johnson as interim airports director October 6.
Courtney will oversee Airports Director Kevin Bumen’s role when he steps down October 10.
Courtney’s promotion is a win for women in aviation. Only 3% of chief executive officers and chief operating officers are women, and in the world’s top 100 airline groups 8% are chief financial officers, reported Air Industry Review earlier this year.
“I’m honored to have this extraordinary opportunity,” Courtney said in the County of San Luis Obispo Administrative Office October 6 news release announcing her selection to lead the airports. “Kevin is a visionary leader, who has built a strong reputation for contributing to the local economy and community. Succeeding him allows me to build on a very solid foundation.”
Courtney is currently the county’s airports deputy director. She has served in the position since January 2019, according to the release.
She came to San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport from the Minter Field Airport District in Shafter, California where she served as manager of finance and administration for six years. At Minter, she directed all accounting, personnel and administrative operations; leasing and property administration and oversaw the fiscal management of federal and state grant programs.
As deputy director, Courtney managed the $9.1 million airport’s finance, administration, and business development functions. She also oversaw the airport’s marketing strategy to promote air service and other airport activities.
Courtney will oversee all activities – commercial and general aviation – at the airports department and a team of 20 full-time employees in her new role.
“Courtney has been instrumental in charting airport strategic direction since joining the department’s executive team,” County Administrative Officer Wade Horton said in the release. “I look forward to what the future holds under Courtney’s leadership.
Courtney recognized the “unprecedented times” for the airport and “the aviation industry,” which has been hit hard by the global pandemic and subsequent economic downturn.
“We are fortunate to have an exceptional team as SBP faces the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead,” Courtney said in the release.
“Together, we will continue to build upon San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport’s successful history focused on serving the community with pride,” she added.
Courtney has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and economics from California State University Bakersfield. She is a certified member of the American Association for Airport Executives. Courtney served as the Southern California director for the Southwest AAAE Chapter and is involved in other industry organizations. She received the chapter’s Certified Airport Executive accreditation in 2017.
The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors will consider Courtney’s permanent appointment as airports director to the San Luis Obispo County Regional and Oceano airports at its October 20 meeting.
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