W.Va. International Yeager Airport names new executive director

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - West Virginia International Yeager Airport in Charleston has a new executive director.

On Tuesday, board members at the airport accepted the resignation of former Executive Director Nick Keller and named Dominique Ranieri as his replacement.

The board’s decision was unanimous and followed a nearly two-hour, closed-door meeting.

Ranieri will be the first female executive director of the airport and has served in many roles, including assistant director under Keller. Her position will come with the same salary and benefits as her predecessor.

“I’m humbled and honored that the board feels I’m the person to carry forward the momentum the airport is seeing today and I’m excited and up for the challenge,” Ranieri told reporters. “I’m honored to be the first female director. I think that will bring a whole different perspective. It can’t help but not, and I think that we are already set on such a trajectory, it will be easy to move forward.”

Ranieri has been working at the airport for five years and previously practiced law in Charleston. Unlike Keller, she will not be under a contract.

Airport Board Chair Ed Hill said Keller’s resignation had nothing to do with financial matters.

He said he is confident in Ranieri to serve as the airport’s director and that the change in leadership will not slow down the airport’s momentum.

“We look for great things to happen here. Nothing has changed as far as our plans, our goals. We are very excited about that,” Hill said. “[Ranieri] has been here serving as assistant director and has been intimately involved in every project. She has proven herself to be more than capable.”

“I am big on giving the team the resources they need,” Ranieri said. “So, first and foremost [order of business], is getting the team together, having a sit-down meeting on what their vision and priorities are, as well, and making sure they have the tools to carry that forward.”

Keller submitted his resignation late last week. No reason has been given why he resigned, and board officials say it’s a personnel matter they can’t comment about publicly.

Keller was not present at Tuesday’s meeting.

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For previous coverage:

Yeager Airport executive director submits resignation