Finalists named for airport commission's executive director

The Metropolitan Airports Commission on Friday released the names of four finalists for the executive director position, in charge of overseeing operations at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

Jeff Hamiel, the MAC's longtime executive director and CEO, announced plans last year to retire this spring.

Since then, the MAC and its executive recruiting firm, SpencerStuart, identified 10 candidates, interviewing nine.

The four finalists: Patrick Lee Heck, vice president-commercial of Manchester Airports Group. Heck is the former chief financial officer of Denver International Airport.

Dennis Probst, who has worked for the MAC since 1997, is its executive vice president and chief operating officer.

Brian Ryks, executive director and CEO of the Gerald R. Ford Airport in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Tammy Lee Stanoch, vice president of corporate affairs for Carlson Cos. Stanoch has also served as vice president of corporate communications and corporate affairs for Northwest Airlines.

The MAC's executive committee will discuss the matter at a meeting on March 3.

The top job involves overseeing operations at MSP and six other airports in the metro area, 580 employees, and a $300 million annual budget. The search committee said the salary for the executive director has hindered the process. Hamiel makes $200,095 a year.

Janet Moore