New airport manager hired, Leitner leaving post

Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown Regional Airport Authority has hired a new airport manager.

Samuel Seafeldt, a flight instructor at the University of North Dakota, will start his position after the first week of October.

He lives in Grand Forks with his wife and children. Seafeldt has a Bachelor of Science in aeronautics. He has a commercial pilot license and is a certified flight instructor with 11 years of flying experience.

The authority approved the hiring of Seafeldt, and his salary at $50,000 a year to start. The authority also accepted current airport manager Matt Leitner’s resignation, while praising him for his four years of service.

Leitner’s resignation is effective September 19, 2014, taking a new position managing three airports in Crescent City, California.

Leitner’s last day at Jamestown Regional Airport is this Friday.

The authority is holding a public reception at 2 p.m. Friday in the authority’s meeting room to wish Leitner, well.

Previously…

Jamestown (CSi)  The Jamestown Regional Airport Manager is about to begin a new career adventure, in California.

Matthew Leitner will resign his Jamestown position, trading it for managing three airports in  Crescent City, California.

One is a commercial airport, about the size of Jamestown Regional Airport, and the two others are General Aviation airports, with all three in close proximity of each other.

Leitner says he appreciates  the Jamestown community’s  air service support and making the airport what it is today.

Leitner’s replacement has not been  named yet, as the Jamestown Regional Airport Authority is seeking Leitner’s successor.

Jamestown Regional Airport continues to see the  recent high boarding numbers following the June 2014 affiliation with United Exprress/SkyWest.

July 2014 saw the most boarding’s for any July at the Airport with roughly 652 passengers, and August continued with  331 total passengers.

Under Leitner’s leadership, in cooperation with the Regional Airport Authority,  community leaders, and state and federal officials, along with the North Dakota Congressional delegation, United Express/SkyWest agreed this year to be Jamestown’s Essential Air Service carrier, with a two year contract.
Shortly after he arrived Leitner over-saw the expansion and renovations of Jamestown Regional Airport.