Columbus Airport Commission appoints two new members as another commissioner resigns during special meeting

Two vacancies filled, a third seat opens

The Columbus Airport Commission voted this week to fill two vacant seats, while also receiving a new resignation that creates an additional opening on the five-member board. The actions came during a special meeting held Tuesday, where the commission addressed a series of recent departures that have occurred within roughly the past two months.

The commission appointed Kevin Howard to fill the unexpired term of former commissioner James Barker and appointed Austin Gower to fill the unexpired term of former commissioner Philip Badcock. Both appointments were approved unanimously by the commissioners present.

Resignation raises concerns about timing and continuity

During the same meeting, commissioner Dannell Mastrean submitted her resignation, adding a third departure to the recent turnover. Mastrean said she was concerned that multiple resignations and appointments happening close together could reduce the staggered nature of board transitions. She also said she was troubled by what she described as an effort to replace existing commissioners with business leaders, and by the lack of opportunity for the departing members to hear and evaluate the incoming members’ ideas in a more extended process.

Mastrean said she viewed the clustered timing of changes as a potential risk to continuity, because it concentrates new voices at once rather than over time.

Commission leadership emphasizes remaining-term appointments

Commission leadership stated that the new appointees will serve the remainder of the terms left by the departing commissioners, rather than beginning entirely new full terms. The commission also approved, by unanimous vote, a motion affirming this approach to term continuity.

In public remarks during the meeting, the commission chair described the appointments as based on qualifications and community work. The third vacancy created by Mastrean’s resignation is expected to be filled at a later date.

Public comments focus on the airport’s economic role

Several community leaders used the public comment portion of the meeting to express support for the airport and its staff, describing the airport as central to logistics, economic activity, workforce mobility, tourism, and broader regional competitiveness.

What happens next

• Howard and Gower will take seats tied to the unexpired terms of Barker and Badcock.
• The commission will need to address the newly created vacancy following Mastrean’s resignation.
• Future meetings will determine the timeline and process for selecting the next commissioner.

The commission’s near-term agenda now includes maintaining board operations amid concentrated turnover, while proceeding with routine public meetings and any pending airport initiatives under its oversight.