To: Board of Supervisors
From: County Administrative Office
Agenda Section: Departmental
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:title
Appointment of Interim Director of Aviationend
RECOMMENDATION(S):Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Accept the resignation of Justin Hopman, Director of Aviation, effective Friday, March 27, 2026; and
2. Appoint Justin Hopman as the part-time Interim Director of Aviation until the appointment of a permanent Director of Aviation is finalized.
Body
STRATEGIC PLAN:
The recommended actions support the following areas of the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Plan:
Area of Focus: Workforce & Operational Excellence
Strategic Plan Category: 3003 - Enhance employee recruitment and retention
DISCUSSION:
Justin Hopman relocated from Florida with his family to accept the position of Aviation Director on Jan. 5, 2026. Unfortunately, the transition to Humboldt County proved challenging, and Mr. Hopman submitted his resignation on March 2, 2026, effective March 27, 2026. He will be returning to his prior position in Florida.
To support continuity, Mr. Hopman has offered to serve remotely in a part-time interim capacity until a new Director of Aviation is appointed. He has agreed to provide approximately fifteen (15) to twenty (20) hours of support per week to assist with a smooth transition.
Staff are seeking the Board’s approval to transition Mr. Hopman from his permanent role to a temporary interim position until further notice. It is anticipated that a new Director of Aviation will be onboarded by the end of summer 2026.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Aviation Enterprise Fund (3530-381)
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The salary for the Director of Aviation is currently included in the fiscal year 2025-26 budget for Aviation budget unit 3530-381. The anticipated salary for the Interim Director of Aviation at Step C working 20 hours a week is Twenty-Five Thousand Two Hundred Eighty-One Dollars ($25,281.00).
STAFFING IMPACT:
The recommended actions will not have a direct impact on current staffing allocations; however, approval of this appointment will maintain continuity in leadership for the department of Aviation while a recruitment can occur.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Board discretion.
ATTACHMENTS:
None
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: None
File No.: None