BANGOR, Maine — Bangor International Airport’s longtime assistant director has been appointed interim director effective March 17, City Manager Catherine Conlow announced Monday.
Anthony Caruso will head BIA until a permanent successor for the current director, Rebecca Hupp, is selected.
Hupp accepted a similar position at Boise Airport in Idaho last month. She will remain at BIA through mid-March and is slated to begin her new job on April 2.
“Tony is well respected by his industry colleagues, peers and subordinates,” Hupp said in a news release issued Monday. “In his role as the assistant director, he regularly stepped in during my absences and very capably maintained the airport’s operations and managed any issues that arose.
“While the aviation industry can be volatile, BGR is well positioned and Tony has the right experience and demeanor to continue the positive trend at BGR,” she said, using the Federal Aviation Administration’s abbreviation for the Bangor airport. “I know he will do a great job.”
Caruso holds a bachelor of science degree in aviation science with a concentration in airport management from Bridgewater State College in Massachusetts. His professional background includes experience in fixed-based operation airport management, airline operations and airport management.
As BIA’s assistant director, he has overseen fixed-base airport operations and ramp services, including fueling, aircraft maintenance, ground support maintenance, passenger services and customer services.
Caruso also is a licensed private pilot and currently is pursuing accreditation through the American Association of Airport Executives.
Caruso said he looks forward to the challenge.
“I am pleased and honored to have been appointed as the interim director,” he said. “Our priorities will be to focus on strategic planning efforts, moving forward with scheduled projects and maintaining a high level of customer service during the city’s search and transition to a new director.”
That process will begin in the near future, according to Bob Farrar, assistant city manager and personnel director.
The first step will involve reviewing the airport director job description to determine if any updates or changes should be made, Farrar said.
The position initially will be posted internally for five days, in accordance with the city’s personnel rules and regulations, he said.
“Internal candidates will receive first consideration,” Farrar said.
After considering any in-house applicants, the city will decide if the vacancy should be advertised regionally and nationally, as it typically does when filling department head-level positions, Farrar said.
“We’ll run a thorough and complete process,” he said. “There really is no urgency. The key is to take the time that’s needed.”
Good luck Tony
One can only hope that he’s learned from others besides his former boss, she was useless and detrimental to the needs of those who frequently fly out of BIA. I do not know Mr. Caruso and wish him the best of luck but would much rather see the City of Bangor do a nationwide search and find someone with proven turn-around skills. Let’s actually find someone who knows how to get the job done with a proven track record of negotiating with the airlines, not another failed manager who’s only claim to fame was to bring in seasonal once or twice a week flights to Florida.
I wonder if the folks in Boise know that BIA went two summers without air conditioning, the executive kitchen was remodeled before terminal and other upgrades were made at the airport, her workers killed a celebrity’s dogs, she was sued by an assistant, and BIA lost the American Airlines maintenance facility under the tenure of Ms. Hupp. It is about time she went on her way. Boise’s loss is Bangor’s gain.
“the executive kitchen”I’ve been on the 3rd floor and there isn’t a kitchen up there. There is a counter with a microwave and a sink and there is a fridge next to that. Is that what you are calling an executive kitchen?
If so it shows a certain dishonesty that is probably well applied to all of your other questionable “facts”.
A new counter, a sink, a microwave, a full size refrigerator, coffee pot, and built in wood cabinets sounds like and looks like a kitchen to me–sans the “Viking” Range, but that might be next. As for executive I am not sure, but did you ever see any ‘ramp rats” up there making use of facilities?
I find it odd that the old kitchen or, whatever you deem it should be called, wasn’t good enough and it had to be remodeled (who paid for that?) while at the same time passengers and airline workers were forced to endure two summers without air conditioning in the terminal. Not the best use of limited resources by anyone’s account.
In short, the lady doth protests too much, methinks.
Yeah you’re probably right, the receptionist should not only do without a break room but she should also not be allowed a place to heat up or store her lunch. Do you have any idea how many people work on the 3rd and 2nd floor of that building other than the Director?
Have you seen the real full kitchen that the “ramp rats” have at their disposal?
Just admit you were wrong.
JetBlue please.
Actually I think Hupp did a pretty credible job and I’m very glad to see that Tony will get a chance to show what he can do as director. I’ve every confidence that he’ll do very well.
Tony, best wishes!
(PS…don’t have your photo taken via cell phone camera.)
I only hope the title of “interim director” is changed to “director” very soon. Tony has more than put in his time, knows the airport and is very bright and hardworking.
It sounds like the process is pretty hard-wired for Caruso. I’m not sure that is a good thing.
He doesn’t even have the credentials! Just a relative of one of the “good ole boys.” What crap! When is Bangor going to smarten up and get real aviation professional with a background in sucessfully running airports. This asset has been in turmoil and has been malfunctioning since it was turned over to Bangor from the air force.