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Yampa Valley Airport Commission interviews: commissioners recommend reappointment of Birch and add FAA/ATC experience
Summary
City and county interview panels for the Yampa Valley Airport Commission recommended reappointing incumbent Steve Birch and appointing Trevor (FAA/air-traffic background) after four interviews June 9; formal ratification will go to both bodies in coming weeks.
A joint Routt County and Steamboat Springs interview panel concluded a slate of candidate interviews for two opening seats on the Yampa Valley Airport Commission June 9 and reported a recommendation to reappoint one incumbent and add a commissioner with federal air-traffic experience.
Interviews were held in the afternoon as part of a joint session. Candidates who interviewed included Daniel O’Reilly (pilot, flight-instructor and King Air captain), Kira La Roche (flight instructor and local general-aviation operator), Trevor (air-traffic-control background with roles at Denver TRACON and FAA airspace work) and incumbent Steve Birch (pilot, flight instructor, airport developer and current commission member). James Travertine Farmer also interviewed.
After the interviews, the panel deliberated and reached a recommendation to reappoint Steve Birch and to appoint Trevor to the commission. Panel members cited Birch’s ongoing service and community ties and Trevor’s 17 years of FAA air-traffic experience — including airspace and procedure work — as complementary strengths. Commissioners noted the two candidates bring different but useful skill sets: Birch’s local general-aviation and airport-development experience and Trevor’s formal FAA/procedures background.
Process and next steps: the joint panel will forward its recommendations as a resolution to both the Routt County Board of Commissioners and the Steamboat Springs City Council for ratification. Staff said they will notify all candidates of the outcome and that formal ratification by both elected bodies is expected in the coming weeks (the city’s meeting schedule and county ratification processes will set the final dates).
Why it matters: The commission advises on operations, safety, development and community outreach for both Bob Adams Field and Yampa Valley Regional Airport. Commissioners said combining incumbency and FAA procedure experience will help the commission support upcoming changes at Yampa Valley Regional Airport, including ongoing terminal and parking-area work and other capital projects.
Ending: Panel members said they will invite the candidates not chosen to consider future openings and will share more detailed feedback to applicants upon request.
