Yvette Aehle to step down from Albany airport director post

ALBANY — Offered a position that she “just couldn’t turn down,” Southwest Georgia Regional Airport Director Yvette Aehle announced Monday that she is leaving the Albany-based airport after an almost 11-year career.

Aehle has accepted a position as deputy director with the St. Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport.

“As we sit here in this building (the new airport terminal), that’s what I’m proudest of,” Aehle told the Albany-Dougherty Aviation Commission at its monthly meeting Monday evening. “It’s a monument to how well we work together. This board, the Albany City Commission and our staff are very flexible, and that’s allowed us to complete this monumental effort that we undertook together.

“I’m confident you’ll find a good person to come in here and take over.”

That comment drew a response from board member Dr. Charles Gillespie that may have been on many of his colleagues’ minds: “Do you have any friends?”

Aviation Board Chairman Dr. William Mayher thanked Aehle for her work at the local airport.

“We’re very fortunate to have had Yvette and her expertise here for as long as we did,” Mayher said. “I want to personally thank her for all she’s done for the airport and for the city of Albany.”

Mayher said Elizabeth Knowles, who currently serves as assistant to the director, would serve as interim director of the airport until a search is conducted for a permanent replacement.

Aehle said her final day with the Southwest Georgia Regional Airport is March 26.