Tristan Durbin has been selected as the new director of the Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport (OWB). Durbin, the current OWB Operations Manager, will begin his new role April 17.
“I could not be more proud and humbled to be provided this opportunity to manage OWB and work with this talented Board of Directors,” Durbin said. “Daviess County is my home, and aviation is my passion. This airport and this community are going to do incredible things together, and I’m honored to be a part of it.”
Durbin’s appointment was announced Tuesday afternoon by the airport’s board of directors.
“We are fortunate to have received so many qualified applications for the position of director,” said Madison Silvert, the board’s chair. “Tristan’s ability, kindness, enthusiasm and knowledge of airport operations make him the ideal director for our growing airport. He knows what it takes to operate this airport efficiently, safely, and on budget.”
Silvert continued, “Tristan has demonstrated an incredible ability to learn aviation operations management and put that knowledge to action, and, while he is an incredible learner, his commitment to Owensboro-Daviess County and to his family is something that simply cannot be taught. He will be an excellent representative waiting for our guests as they enter through Owensboro’s front door.”
Durbin will take over for current Interim Airport Director Bob Whitmer, who also previously held the position full-time.
“Every once in a while you get to work with someone who is both an outstanding person and is outstanding at what they do,” Whitmer said. “Tristan came into our very thorough vetting process prepared, poised and ready to lead. He is going to do an amazing job, and this community and this airport are going to be better because of his leadership.”
The Owensboro-Daviess Regional Airport was established in 1949, and currently boasts Kentucky’s second-longest runway. It offers regular commercial service to Orlando, Nashville and St. Louis, as well as charter services through its fixed-based operations partners.