To: Board of Supervisors
From: County Administrative Office
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:title
Appointment of the Humboldt County Director of Aviation and Approval of an Advanced Salary Stepend
RECOMMENDATION(S):Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve the appointment of Justin Hopman as the Humboldt County Director of Aviation effective Jan. 5, 2026; and
2. Approve an advance salary step placement to Step C.
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 brings over fifteen (15) years of experience in aviation management, including, without limitation, leadership roles at rural and regional airports. Most recently, Mr. Hopman served as the Deputy Director of Operations and Maintenance for the Titusville-Cocoa Airport Authority on Florida's Space Coast, where he oversaw the management, operations and development of a multi-airport system. He led major improvement projects, including runway rehabilitations, new hangar construction and navigational system upgrades, and he is currently completing a new air traffic control tower project. Before his work on the Space Coast, Mr. Hopman held operations roles at Orlando International and Orlando Executive airports.
Mr. Hopman's proven track record in airport operations, regulatory compliance and community engagement makes him well-suited to support the Department of Aviation's ongoing goals. Accordingly, staff recommends that the Board of Supervisors approve the appointment of Justin Hopman as the Humboldt County Director of Aviation, effective Monday, Jan. 5, 2025, at salary step C.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Airport Enterprise Fund (3530)
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Expenditures (3530)
FY25-26
FY26-27 Projected*
FY27-28 Projected*
Budgeted Expe...
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