Krauter becomes airport director

Spokane County commissioners quickly confirmed Larry Krauter Tuesday as the new executive director of Spokane International Airport.

Commissioner Todd Mielke called Krauter, interim director of the Lehigh-Northampton (Pa.) Airport Authority, an “extremely impressive individual.”

Spokane Airport Board member David Brukardt said Krauter was selected from 40 candidates in a nationwide search, with help from a recruiting company.

“I truly think we are probably getting the best of the best,” Mielke said.

He and commission Chairman Al French voted to approve the selection, with Commissioner Mark Richard absent.

The action completed a decision that began Monday night with unanimous approval by the Spokane City Council. Krauter will be paid $160,000 a year and is to start work by April 1.

He replaces interim director Ryland “Skip” Davis, who has managed the Spokane International Airport, the Felts Field general aviation airport and the Airport Business Park since Neal Sealock stepped down last summer.

The Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority owns and operates the Lehigh Valley International Airport, Queen City Airport and the Braden Airpark.

Before becoming the authority’s interim director, Krauter was its deputy director and director of planning and engineering. Previously, he was an airport planner for Columbus, Ohio.

Meanwhile Tuesday, Lehigh Valley airport board members met in closed session to discuss possibilities for persuading Krauter to stay. Chairman David Haines told the Express-Times newspaper that no formal action was taken, but a three-member subcommittee planned to talk to Krauter.