Palm Springs airport names interim leader as two top officials depart

Palm Springs International Airport will have a new interim leader following the departure of Executive Director Harry Barrett Jr., City Manager Scott Stiles told the Airport Commission Wednesday.

Assistant Director of Aviation Victoria Carpenter will step into the role on an interim basis while the city conducts what Stiles called an “aggressive national recruitment” for a permanent replacement.

“No slowing down, no not making decisions, we’re full speed ahead, just like we have been doing and I fully expect that we’ll continue to do,” Stiles said.

The leadership transition was compounded by a second departure: Deputy Director of Aviation, Marketing & Air Service Daniel Meier announced he would be leaving for Tulsa International Airport.

Stiles expressed confidence that Carpenter could keep the airport on course despite the back-to-back exits.

“She knows the operations here. She’s worked on budgets, capital planning, all kinds of things. You all know her. So I don’t think we’re going to miss much of a beat,” he told the commission.

Restroom designs approved

In other business, the commission approved designs for three new restrooms, advancing a portion of the more than $2 billion in improvements included in the airport expansion plan approved last year.

The restrooms are expected to cost around $9 million in total and are designed to reflect the desert landscape and the aesthetic of local Palm Springs resorts. They will include smart accessories such as automated locks, sinks and toilets, and occupancy counters to alert passengers of available stalls.

Two restrooms — one men’s and one women’s — will be added to the Bono Concourse, both with baby changing stations. The women’s restroom will also include a nursing room. A third, all-gender restroom near the courtyard entrance will feature five ADA-accessible toilets.

One commissioner pushed back on the design’s cost, suggesting the appealing aesthetic may have driven up the price unnecessarily. Barrett said the budget was “pretty consistent with what construction costs are across the nation.”

Construction is expected to begin in spring 2027, pending approval of a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration.

Summer food and beverage changes

The commission also approved adjustments to summer food and beverage operations at the airport, citing low seasonal demand. Airport data show only 16% of total yearly passengers use the airport between June and September.

Some staff from seasonally closed operations will be retrained to support expanded service elsewhere in the terminal during those months.

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