Airport Staff

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Phil Lanier
Airport Director

Phil Lanier has over 15 years of experience in the NC Aviation Industry with the majority of his time focused on airport project management, including areas of grant administration, construction, leasing, operations, and maintenance.  He has served as Airport Director for the Johnston County Airport Authority since 2017 and has overseen the investment of twenty-one million dollars in capital expansion projects, inclusive of the airport's first two Public-Private Partnerships.  Mr. Lanier is currently serving on the North Carolina Airports Association Board of Directors as a Region 2 representative.  Mr. Lanier grew up in Winston Salem, NC, and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Engineering and Management from North Carolina State University in 2005.

 

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Casey Hayes
Executive Administrator

Casey oversees the Customer Service team and assists with many executive functions at JNX. She is a Smithfield native and received a BSW Degree from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. She has worked at JNX since December 2020. In her spare time, she likes reading, baking, spending time with her family, and training dogs.

 

 

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Lesa Denning
Executive Administrator

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Keegan Lax
Line Service Supervisor

Keegan is an aviation enthusiast. He has been working in aviation ground service since 2013. He got his start while in the Navy working for a squadron in Japan, since then he has worked at the FBOs in Wilmington, NC, and Raleigh, NC. He has multiple degrees in Airport Management and looks forward to providing the best customer service possible.

 

 

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Zak McLamb
Operations and Maintenance

Zak oversees the Operations and Maintenance here at Johnston Regional Airport.  As a lifetime resident of Johnston County, he has watched this area evolve into an important economic location and is honored to serve his home community.  Zak attended Benson Elementary and South Johnston High School before graduating from North Carolina State University.  When not at work he enjoys playing upright bass, church activities, camping, piloting R/C cars and aircraft, and family time.

 

 

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Chris has been in customer service since 2012. After securing a job in line service at KILM in 2013, he focused on mastering his trade. He was promoted to Shift Supervisor shortly before leaving to work at KRDU. It was here that he continued to show his skill and leadership abilities, being promoted to Shift Supervisor again after only 6 months. He is most skilled with a tug underneath him, amassing over 25,000 safe tows in his career without incident. Now here at KJNX, he is looking forward to being part of the incredible growth and potential of this airfield and lending his expertise when possible. In his free time, he likes to work on his car, play video games, and stay up to date on the latest Star Wars content.

 

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Robert Ruggiero

Rob is a retired United States Navy Chief Warrant Officer.  With 28 years of Active duty experience in Aviation Fuels Afloat, Transient Line, Shore Based Arresting Gear, and Air Terminal and Cargo operations. He has an AA in Management. A recent North Carolina resident he currently resides in Goldsboro with his wife Molly and their two Bull Terriers Nero and Carley and Dachshund Daisy.