Vero Beach Regional Airport Director Eric Menger has announced his retirement after 24 years on the job, effective June 26.
On the same day, longtime Vero Beach Airport Commission Chair Barbara Drndak also announced she was stepping down from that volunteer post. Drndak explained in her resignation letter that she started in the position in 1996, the same year Menger was hired to run the airport.
“Eric and I have joked, for years now, that we would walk out of City Hall together,” Drndak said.
Menger said he would assist the city through the transition and help find his successor, but he suggested that person might already be on the city payroll. “My recommendation is to promote J. Todd Scher, Assistant Airport Director, to my position and allow him to reorganize his team as necessary to meet your goals and objectives,” Menger wrote on March 20.
Vero Beach trial attorney and pilot Louis B. “Buck” Vocelle is in line to take over as chairman of the airport commission, as he’s served as vice chair with Drndak.
“Over the last 20 years, Eric Menger has done more for our airport than any single individual. In fact, when it comes to airports of our size nationwide, there is no doubt in my mind that Eric is and has been number one,” Vocelle said.
“Under his direction, the airport has been and is self-supporting,” Vocelle said, adding that Menger was instrumental in developing the master plan, securing funding from both the Federal Aviation Administration and the Florida Department of Transportation, and securing Vero’s position as having one of the top general aviation airports in the country.
“The citizens of Vero Beach owe Eric a great gratitude for all he has accomplished without regard for personal recognition or gain. Individuals like Eric rare but are the backbone of our country,” Vocelle said.
