Branch announces resignation as airport manager

He is moving to a position with SunTrust Bank in Rome.

Polk County will soon need to find a new airport manager to take over at Cornelius Field after Sam Branch announced that he is leaving for a new opportunity this week.

Last week, Branch tendered his letter of resignation as the Polk County airport manager to County Manager Matt Denton, and he will be working through Nov. 8.

In a press release about his resignation, Branch said that he was thankful to the county’s leadership for allowing him to serve for the past year, and that he feels the airport is better since the start of his tenure in October 2016.

“I feel that in my short time at the helm, the airport has made vast improvements and is on track to continue growing in a way that will support the economy and future of Polk County. Since October of 2016 we have nearly doubled the number of hangars leased and we expect that trend to continue,” Branch said in his release. “This is due largely to the recommendation of the Polk County Airport Committee to lower hangar rates, which was then approved by the Polk County Board of Commissioners in November of 2016.”

He felt that he learned much in his role as the airport manager, especially in working with a variety of people in the community and getting a better understanding for the inner workings of local government.

“It is incredibly important to be a good servant of the community and good steward of the taxpayers money when making recommendations on improvement projects,” he said. “I look forward to using what I learned during my time to better serve our community in the future.”

Additionally, his release stated that more is to come for the airport’s future.

“We currently have projects in the very beginning phases that could significantly impact the citizens and students of Polk County, making Polk County Airport a premiere airport in Northwest Georgia. I have complete faith and confidence in our Airport Committee, Polk County Board of Commissioners and the future airport manager to continue the work we started during my tenure,” his release stated. “I am extremely excited about the future of Polk County Airport and hope to continue being a part of that future from a citizenry role. It is my hopes and ambitions to continue working for the people of Polk County and Cedartown in an effort to grow our community. I am excited about the possibilities of serving our small town in ways that I could not while being employed by Polk County. The future of our community is bright and I look forward to being a part of it.”

Denton said the county will be seeking a new airport manager in the near future to replace Branch.

“We’re just going to have to start this whole process over again and hopefully find a good airport manager,” Denton said.

He added that “He’s done a fantastic job as our airport manager and we will miss him.”

Branch will be taking a job at SunTrust Bank in Rome.