Mayor Miro Weinberger has named Nic Longo as director of aviation at Burlington International Airport. The mayor announced his pick at a press conference at the airport Wednesday.
The appointment of Longo, currently interim director, must be approved by a vote of the city council, which is expected next Monday.
Longo was named acting director in summer 2021 after the suspension of then-director Gene Richards, following accusations of employee mistreatment and misuse of city resources. Richards was fired that September.
“I’m eager to continue to work with you and your team into the future,” Longo told the mayor during the press conference. “When you asked me to be acting director, I was truly honored. I’m exponentially more honored to serve as your permanent director here at BTV.”
Longo has a bachelor’s in aviation and air traffic management and over 15 years of experience in the aviation industry, including almost 10 in Burlington.
He highlighted his top goal as “striving to be the greenest airport possible,” starting with increasing the airport’s reliance on solar and wind power.
Councilor Gene Bergman, P-Ward 2, said he supported Longo’s appointment — and he believes that support is shared by airport employees, which he called a “huge factor.”
“I have been heartened by the way that he is looking to do the work of the airport in a way that is not going to further lose housing in the Chamberlain neighborhood,” Bergman said.
Longo’s attention to climate issues is also encouraging, Bergman said. “He has committed to me to look at aviation emissions and try to factor that into the city’s climate action plan,” he said.
Weinberger interviewed two other people for the position. In making his pick, the mayor cited Longo’s love of aviation and the work he was able to complete during his time as acting director.
“Through his nearly decade-long career here at the airport, and at every step of the selection process, Nic demonstrated that he has the skills, expertise, vision and commitment to lead the next chapter of growth and success for the airport,” Weinberger said.
In the interim role, Longo oversaw construction updates to BTV’s planned airport hotel, implementation of the long-term lease with Beta Technologies, and discussions of a student tech center at the airport. An experimental solar and wind project located at the airport and the expansion of the facility’s southeast wing were also highlighted at the press conference, as a part of Longo’s accomplishments as acting director.