After four decades at the Port of Huntsville, CEO Butch Roberts is retiring and Chief Legal Officer Amy Murphree has been selected to lead the organization into its next chapter.
The Huntsville-Madison County Airport Authority Board of Directors announced Tuesday that Roberts will retire effective Jan. 1, 2027. Murphree, who has served as the Port of Huntsville’s chief legal officer since 2019, will become CEO Dec. 1.
The overlap will provide a month for the leadership transition at an organization that encompasses Huntsville International Airport, the International Intermodal Center, Jetplex Industrial Park and Huntsville International Spaceport.
Roberts’ retirement concludes a 40-year career at the Port of Huntsville, including a tenure as CEO marked by significant passenger growth, new air service and major construction projects.
“On behalf of the Board, I want to sincerely thank Butch for his decades of service to this organization,” Board Chairman Joey Ceci said. “Butch’s steady leadership has guided the Port of Huntsville through a period of tremendous growth and opportunity. Through strategic planning and sound business judgment, Butch has ensured that the Port of Huntsville can keep up with the needs of our fast-growing community. The culture he has built will continue to keep customer service at the forefront of our core values. The Board congratulates him on his well-earned retirement.”
Under Roberts’ leadership, passenger traffic increased by more than 40%, according to the Port of Huntsville. Huntsville International added nonstop service to Tampa, Orlando, Las Vegas, New York City, Fort Lauderdale and Gulf Shores and welcomed Allegiant Air.
The airport also won Newsweek’s Best Small Airport readers’ choice award in both 2024 and 2025 and is now going for a three-peat, with HSV nominated for Best Small Airport in USA Today’s 2026 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. The airport also obtained a Federal Aviation Administration license allowing commercial space vehicles to land at HSV.
Roberts oversaw a slate of capital projects, including a $12 million expansion and renovation of Signature Aviation, construction of a 111,000-square-foot maintenance, repair and overhaul facility and more than $25 million in terminal and concourse renovations.
More recently, the airport broke ground on a $16.5 million Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting station and a $59 million parking garage expansion.
Roberts said he is leaving confident in both the organization and his successor.
“It has been a distinct honor to serve the Port of Huntsville and the Tennessee Valley region for over four decades,” Roberts said. “I am fortunate to have had a long and deeply rewarding career here at the Port of Huntsville. I am very grateful to the Board of Directors for giving me the opportunity to serve as CEO, and I am proud of the Port of Huntsville team and the accomplishments we have achieved together. After careful consideration and planning, I am ready to retire knowing that I am leaving the Port of Huntsville team in capable hands under the leadership of Amy Murphree.”
Murphree takes the helm
Murphree joined the Port of Huntsville as chief legal officer in 2019 and has worked alongside Roberts across the organization’s operations.
Ceci said that experience was a key factor in the board’s selection.
“As the Chief Legal Officer for the Port of Huntsville, Amy has worked alongside Butch in all facets of the Port of Huntsville’s operations,” Ceci said. “Amy’s qualifications, experience, and demonstrated leadership abilities make her an excellent choice for CEO. The Board has the utmost confidence in Amy’s ability to lead the Port of Huntsville to even greater successes in the future.”
Murphree holds a Master of Laws in Taxation and a law degree from The University of Alabama School of Law, as well as a bachelor’s degree in commerce and business administration from The University of Alabama.
In 2025, she earned the Accredited Airport Executive designation from the American Association of Airport Executives. She also serves with the Airports Council International-North America Legal Affairs Steering Group and is a graduate of Leadership Greater Huntsville’s Flagship Program.
One of Murphree’s first major undertakings will be planning for what comes next. She said she intends to begin work on a new master plan as the airport responds to continued growth across North Alabama.
“We have an incredible team of talented, dedicated professionals here at the Port of Huntsville, and I am truly honored and grateful to the Board for giving me the opportunity to lead that team,” Murphree said. “I am excited to begin work on a new Master Plan that will ensure that the Port of Huntsville meets the needs of our community for many years to come. With the economic growth our community is experiencing, the future is bright for the Port of Huntsville.”
Huntsville International served more than 1.7 million passengers in 2025. Beyond the passenger airport, the Port of Huntsville operates an international intermodal center connecting air, rail and highway freight, Jetplex Industrial Park and the Huntsville International Spaceport.
Roberts will remain CEO through the end of November before Murphree assumes the position Dec. 1. His retirement becomes effective Jan. 1.
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