Gunnison County fills two primary management positions

Gunnison County hired two new people to fill management positions this week. The airport and community development offices will have new leadership.

Russ Forrest was selected to be the new Director of Community Development. Forrest comes to Gunnison County from previous positions as the Town Manager for the Town of Snowmass Village where he has been since 2007 and before that as the Community Development Director for Vail. The county also took the opportunity to restructure this position so Forrest will also serve as the Assistant County Manager for Community and Economic Development responsible for coordinating the services of the Community Development Department, Geographic Information Services Department and the Wildlife Program. He will also take the lead in managing the County’s economic development activities.
“As a seasoned Town Manager, Russ presented us with a unique skill set that will allow us to improve coordination of several of our services and to increase our focus on economic development. As a result, the Commissioners and I decided to seize the opportunity that Russ presented and to expand the position and its responsibilities,” says County Manager Matthew Birnie.
Gunnison County has also hired Richard Lamport to serve as the new Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport manager, effective August 1, 2013. Lamport will come to Gunnison County with more than 35 years of international and domestic civil/military experience in all aspects of aviation involving airline operations, air traffic control, flying, and the administration, management and operation of airports.
“We are thrilled to have someone with Rick’s extensive background in commercial airport operations, the airline industry, and general aviation joining our team. Rick is a very accomplished aviation professional and will be a tremendous asset to the Gunnison Crested-Butte Regional Airport, the county organization, and the broader community. We look forward to benefitting from his contributions,” said Birnie.
Lamport has served in many capacities during his career, including airport manager to four regional non-hub/small-hub Part 139-certificated airports. Most recently, he served as the general manager of General Aviation Airports for the Rhode Island Airport Corporation, where he was responsible for enforcing the policies and governance in the operation of the five state-owned General Aviation Airports and associated Fixed Base Operators (FBO). He was also in charge of negotiating joint use of the airports with government and U.S. military organizations.