Port of Huntsville Board chairman Mark McDaniel announced this morning the retirement of longtime chief executive officer Rick Tucker from the international transportation and business hub that includes Huntsville International Airport, the International Intermodal Center and Jetplex Industrial Park. He will be replaced by Luther “Butch” Roberts, A.A.E., C.M.A. as CEO for the Port of Huntsville starting July 1.
Tucker will continue to serve the organization through December 31 as CEO emeritus during the transition of leadership and in a part time capacity during his retirement focusing on strategic regional, state and national opportunities to strengthen the Port’s position as a leader in the global transportation, logistics and international trade arena.
Roberts has served as COO/deputy director since 1996.
McDaniel went on to say Tucker’s leadership has grown the organization to a superlative reputation and provided powerful economic impact on the community.
“I want to express sincere appreciation on behalf of the HMCAA Board to Rick for his decades of constant, professional, focused leadership and visionary contributions to the Port of Huntsville and to our community,” said McDaniel. “Under his tenure, the airport, cargo operations and industrial park have expanded beyond our hopes and dreams to bring jobs and prosperity to Huntsville and to indelibly link the Port of Huntsville to the world.”
Major accomplishments at the Port of Huntsville under Tucker’s watch include the extension of the west runway to12,600 feet, making it the second-longest in the southeast U.S.; the construction of a new 219-foot air traffic control tower expanding aviation development opportunities; construction of two parking decks with over 2,600 spaces; construction of 10,000 feet parallel taxiway for B747 freighter operations; air cargo ramp expansion to accommodate 10 B747 parking positions; and a five-year terminal area capital improvement project completed in 2012 that included a new security screening checkpoint and public waiting area on the second floor, and a new first floor baggage claim.
Commercial air traffic has grown to more than 1 million passengers annually, and non-stop air service has expanded to 14 destinations.
Tucker has guided the completion of numerous expansions at the International Intermodal Center including over 200,000 square feet of air cargo facilities serving weekly international air cargo flights to Europe, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Cambodia and Brazil.
Air cargo activities have positioned HSV as 18th out of 182 airports in the continental U.S. for international air cargo freight volume, and Tucker has guided the development and growth of the Jetplex Industrial Park, a 4,000-acre business park anchoring more than 75 international and domestic companies to the tune of a capital investment of $1.4 billion and 4,000 jobs.
Tucker served as chairman of the U.S. Policy Council for Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) and served more recently on the U.S. Department of Commerce Advisory Committee on Supply Chain Competitiveness.
Leadership roles include president of the Aviation Council of Alabama Board of Directors and president of the North Alabama International Trade Association.
He has served on the Alabama Commission on Infrastructure, the Airport Cooperative Research Program Oversight Committee and the Appalachian Regional Commission Network Appalachia.
During his tenure, Tucker has been recognized as one of Air Cargo World’s Most Influential Leaders (2006) and is the recipient of Huntsville Rotary Club’s Vocational Excellence Award (2010), NAITA’s International Trade Advocate (2013), and was named the 2019 Airport Professional of the year by the Southeast Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives (SEC-AAAE). He was also 2021 Airport Director of the Year, Small Airports Division by Airport Experience News.
“When I started at the airport 44 years ago I could not have imagined spending my entire career with just one employer,” said Tucker. “However, because we had a very small staff I was given some unique opportunities early in my career to expand and grow as an individual as the organization and community grew.
“I give credit to the success of the Port of Huntsville to the talented staff and visionary board members surrounding me during my career, and especially the blessings of God!
“My understanding is that in 1967 when the new airport facility was built, it was dedicated to the glory of God. I trust this approach will continue throughout our history,” Tucker continued. “I have tremendous confidence in our team to achieve even greater success under the leadership of Butch Roberts. He is the right person at the right time!”
McDaniel added that through Tucker’s successes at the airport, Roberts has been his right hand.
“The Board has the utmost confidence in his ability to carry forward the mission of the Port of Huntsville. Butch’s steady and wise leadership has made him an ideal choice for the position of CEO,” McDaniel added.
Roberts’ career in the aviation industry spans 36 years and began at Huntsville Madison County Airport Authority. He is a graduate of the University of Alabama in Huntsville (B.S. Accounting, 1985) and is a Certified Management Accountant and Accredited Airport Executive. He is a member of the American Association of Airport Executives, National Association of Accountants, and the Alabama Space Authority.
“I look forward to continuing the work of implementing our Master Plan to grow the airport, intermodal center and industrial park to meet the needs of industry and commerce in our service area,” Roberts said. “We have already begun a new air cargo expansion and have applied for a license to land the DreamChaser commercial space vehicle here at HSV.
“With our upcoming terminal and concourse upgrades in the final planning stages, there is a lot to be excited about as we see air travel returning post-pandemic and our region’s economy prospering.”
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