Scott Gray started his position as Denton Enterprise Airport’s new manager last week. With 25 years of experience in the aviation field and 26 years with a pilot’s license, Gray said he looks forward to getting settled in Denton.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to come here,” he said. “There’s a lot of growth opportunity here. I’m excited about the dynamics going on here to assist the city.”
Gray moved from Pennsylvania where he served as the executive director of Washington County Airport for six years. He also served as president of the Aviation Council of Pennsylvania. Prior to that, Gray held several director positions in the aviation field.
“I enjoy the aspects of a general aviation airport,” he said. “ You have your hands on all aspects of not only aviation but business as well, because we have to operate the airport as a business. You wear a lot of hats.”
One of the biggest challenges Gray said he will face as the new Denton manager is getting the airport’s second runway constructed “in a timely manner and under budget, hopefully.”
“My goal is to have that runway operational as quickly and inexpensively as we can given the restraints,” he said.
The new 5,000-foot runway is an $8.5 million project. The runway is scheduled to open in August 2018, Gray said.
The airport’s previous manager, Quentin Hix, served for eight years. Hix submitted his letter of resignation in January and his last day was Feb. 24.
Gray has a history with the Denton airport. While working for Coffman Associates, an airport consulting firm, he conducted the master plan for the airport in 1994, he said.
“So it’s come full circle,” Gray said. “Between 1994 and now, it’s changed pretty dramatically.”
Gray is married with three children. His family will join him in Denton as soon as they sell their Pennsylvania home.
MADISON WILSON can be reached at 940-566-6921.
http://www.dentonrc.com/news/news/2017/06/08/new-manager-oversee-growth-denton-enterprise-airport