A former assistant city police chief will take over temporarily at Poplar Bluff Municipal Airport.
Gary Pride has been named interim manager until a decision can be made concerning the position, said city manager Mark Massingham.
Pride met Wednesday with airport staff. He will be paid $450 a week, with no benefits, Massingham said.
The airport director's position is appointed by the city manager.
"He will be a great asset to the airport and I know he will serve the city well," said Massingham. "I look forward to working with him and moving the airport in a positive direction."
Pride will work with the airport's one fulltime and one halftime employee and Massingham to ensure the airport is operating smoothly.
The airport advisory board indicated the department needs a person to oversee operations, Massingham said.
"Gary is the type of person who will be hands on and helping any way he can," Massingham said.
Pride was assistant chief when he retired from the Poplar Bluff Police Department in 2008. He worked as a city employee for more than 30 years, also serving as a city firefighter and police investigator.
He is a private pilot and member of the Missouri Pilots Association, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and the Experimental Aircraft Association.
Pride said he is not a candidate for the fulltime position.
"While I have been on the advisory board for years and a pilot, I'm here to bring stability and development during the transition period," Pride said. "The city has an obligation to provide a safe, clean and welcoming airport, which fully conforms to all state and federal regulations. This responsibility is now mine and this is exactly what I intend to do."
Business is booming at the airport and anything that can be done to support this is in the community's best interest, Pride said.
The manager's position has been vacant since former manager Lance Donze was fired in September, after less than nine months on the job.
City officials have said they cannot comment further on personnel matters.