Former County Administrator Takes Airport Job

August 27, 2019

Former interim Escambia County Administrator Matt Coughlin as been hired as the new deputy director of the Pensacola International Airport.

Coughlin submitted his resignation from Escambia County in April, citing “tribalism” with the county.

In his resignation letter, Coughlin thanked former County Administrator Jack Brown, Interim Administrator Amy Lovoy, County Attorney Alison Rogers and department directors before writing “Regrettably, today in Escambia County there is neither the ability or willingness to rise to the occasion and lead together. Rather, those with the capability to help reverse this downward progression have resorted to tribalism. Its effects are pervasive and wide ranging. Unfortunately, along the way, our mission has become a failure and our citizens have become the casualty.”

Coughlin agreed to stay temporarily as interim administrator after Amy Lovoy resigned as interim administrator.

Coughlin, who worked as the Assistant Director at Pensacola International Airport from 2014-2017, said he’s excited to rejoin the City of Pensacola.

“I’m very appreciative to the mayor, very appreciative of the city, the mayor’s staff, and the airport director for considering me for the position,” Coughlin said. “There’s obviously a lot of potential for the airport – they’re on the cusp of a lot of growth and development over the next several years, and I’m excited to be a part of that.”

“There’s a huge amount of opportunity over there for the city, and not just the city, but the local area and all of the citizens,” Coughlin said. I look forward to trying to assist in providing a great asset to all of them.”

Along with assisting Airport Director Dan Flynn with overall airport operations, Coughlin’s job duties will include participating in major economic development projects at the airport, preparing and maintaining technical and administrative operating records and reports, and assisting with contract negotiations.

Coughlin will also act as a liaison with the Federal Aviation Administration, Transportation Security Administration, along with other federal, state and local agencies.

His first day on the job at the airport will be September 9.

Comments

4 Responses to “Former County Administrator Takes Airport Job”

  1. JD on August 31st, 2019 11:21 am

    “There’s a huge amount of opportunity over there for the city, and not just the city, but the local area and all of the citizens,” Coughlin said. I look forward to trying to assist in providing a great asset to all of them.”

    If there is such big opportunities at the City of Pensacola and the Airport, why did he leave in the first place? It seems more likely that he is only returning to the city because his feelings got hurt at Escambia County. Did the city not have opportunities when he chose to go to the county? He surely left the city because of some other reason than to get better opportunities, since he’s returning to the city for those “better opportunities.” Interesting…

  2. joe on August 27th, 2019 6:38 pm

    He is a great leader, I knew he would land somewhere. It was a pleasure working for such a great man, he will be missed by the county. Not a good ole boy A GREAT MAN

  3. Ron Hankinson on August 27th, 2019 2:46 pm

    My experience with Matt Coughlin has given me nothing but respect for a Navy veteran who has strong moral and ethical standards.

  4. J.Larry Seale on August 27th, 2019 9:21 am

    “good old boys” still taking care
    of each other…………….

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News