NATCHEZ — The Natchez-Adams Airport Commission has hired a new airport manager to replace Bob Hawk, as his last day will be July 20.

Airport commission chair Gary Holloway said Ronald Hall from Toledo, Ohio, would start Wednesday.

“He has experience in managing airfields down in New Orleans,” Holloway said. “We just look forward to him getting here and are looking forward to him moving our airport forward.”

Holloway said Hawk is planning to retire in Georgia. Hawk’s wife Melissa Hawk resigned in January as Natchez City Clerk to return to Georgia to attend to family matters.

Hawk took over for long-time airport manager Clint Pomeroy in April 2015.

“I can’t say enough good things about Bob,” Holloway said. “He is going to be greatly missed. The few years he has spent with us have been absolutely phenomenal.

“He has done a great job at the airport. He has really moved the airport forward during his time here, we are very pleased.”

Adams County Board of Supervisors President Mike Lazarus said Hawk brought a lot of good ideas to the airport and was able to implement some needed upgrades over the last two years.

“I hate we are losing him,” Lazarus said. “I hate that we lost Mrs. Hawk with the city.

“He did a lot of things differently and made some changes. The airport is better for having him.”

Holloway said the commission used an aviation employment website and had six applicants.

“Ronald no question was the choice,” Holloway said. “Ronald has a wealth of experience with this particular type of airport we have.”

Holloway said with Hawk’s last day being July 20, some overlap will occur enabling Hawk to help acclimate Hall to the position.

During Hawk’s tenure, the airport completed more than $900,000 in projects through federal and state grants, repairing a runway, restriping taxiways, adding eight T-hangers and replacing the fuel farm.

Holloway said the pilots of Adams County appreciate the airport.

“We just have a wonderful resource in the airport,” Holloway said. “And I can’t say enough about the commission, it is just a good group of guys who want to see Adams County and the airport prosper.”

Hawk could not be reached for comment.