Abele appoints new leader for airport
Dranzik has been interim director
Milwaukee County Transportation Director Brian Dranzik will be the new Mitchell International Airport director beginning Monday, County Executive Chris Abele said Friday in announcing the appointment.
Dranzik has served as interim airport director since the Sept. 14 firing of former airport director Ismael “Izzy” Bonilla. Bonilla violated county ordinances prohibiting disclosure of privileged information in helping a contractor gain a competitive advantage in the awarding of an airport contract, county auditors found in their investigation of Bonilla’s alleged misconduct.
Dranzik previously filled in as interim airport director over a ninemonth span in 2015 and 2016, Abele said. At that time, he oversaw the completion of the airport’s $40 million baggage claim remodeling project and welcomed Alaska Airlines to Milwaukee.
As the permanent director, Dranzik will be responsible for managing the proposed construction of a new international terminal for Mitchell at a revised cost of $53.5 million.
He takes on the new job as the airport has added nonstop routes and passenger numbers are growing. In August, Mitchell recorded a 7% increase in traffic compared with the same month a year ago. It was the fifth straight month of passenger growth.
Last month, Abele announced his recommended 2018 county budget included more than $25 million to demolish the unused Concourse E at Mitchell and construct foundations and the building frame for the new international terminal to be built in its place.
The county spent $4.6 million this year on the building’s design and engineering plans. Construction will be completed in 2019 at the remaining cost of nearly $24 million.
Dranzik has served as county transportation department director since 2012. The airport is owned by Milwaukee County and airport operations are overseen by the transportation department.
“Brian Dranzik has been a source of stability, leadership and innovation in various capacities at the airport for 14 years,” Abele said in a statement.
Dranzik will be paid an annual salary of $175,000.
He represents Milwaukee County on the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission.
James Martin will serve as interim director of the county transportation department while the county conducts a national search for a permanent director to replace Dranzik.