Scott Malta Selected as New Airport Manager
February 20th, 2020 – The Moore County Airport Authority 
announced today that Mr. Scott Malta of Merced, California has been selected to be the new manager of the airport. He will replace long-time Moore County native, Ron Maness, who is retiring after having been a fixture at the airport for almost two decades. Mr. Malta is expected to start in his new position around March 15th.
“I’m really pleased that Scotty has accepted our offer to move to the Sandhills,” said Tom McPherson, Airport Authority chairman. “He has exactly the right skills and experience we need. He’s will do a great job while facing our everyday and long-term challenges.”
“I’m excited to be coming to Moore County,” Malta said. “Your airport is doing so well but it also has the potential to do so much more, like expanding partnerships with the Community College and Fort Bragg. With my experience I know I can make a difference.”
For eighteen years Malta has managed the Castle Airport in Merced, California, about an hour inland from San Francisco. In earlier times he was the Operations Manager at the Roanoke Regional Airport in Virginia and also served a career in the Air Force.
Malta’s experience at Castle Airport impressed the Airport Authority. Castle is a retired Air Force Base with super-fund contamination, tight oversight from state regulators and a county leadership which was challenged to fund airport improvements. Despite these headwinds, Malta secured grants to update the airport infrastructure and added important new customers. Malta also managed high-profile events including two presidential visits, air shows with the Thunderbirds and one of the world’s largest model aircraft shows. He often spoke to the public and represented the airport to the City Council, the County Supervisors, the Kiwanis Club, the Rotary Club, the Lions Club, the Air Force Pilots Association, the Military Officers Association, and realtor groups. “I have been the public face of the airport,” Malta explained.
With a Masters degree in Aviation Management, Malta has expertise which is recognized beyond his local airport. He was on the Board of Directors of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), President of the Southwest Chapter of the AAAE, on the Policy Board of the Contract Tower Association (USCTA) and a president of the Board of the Association of California Airports (ACA).
Looking forward to his new post, Malta feels the Moore County Airport is well-poised to serve the Moore County community and visitors. The airport has just completed a $2 million storm water drainage project and a new twenty-year Master Plan for the airport is being finalized. The annual Festival D’Avion airshow, now in its third year, is expanding with each iteration. A number of new projects are on the drawing boards including strengthening the aging tarmac to handle the larger jets expected for the 2024 US Open as well as regular military and commercial heavy aircraft, plus building new hangars, changing old-style runway lights to energy-efficient LEDs, and converting empty office space into a restaurant overlooking the runway. “The airport is in a very positive situation,” Malta said. “I’m eager to get to Southern Pines and dig in to all these opportunities.”
Seeking to get the best possible airport manager, in October 2019 the Authority hired ADK Executive Search of Atlantic Beach, Florida to conduct the nationwide search for this position. ADK has a portfolio of more than 25,000 airport managers and related experts. Ultimately more than forty people applied for the job. “In my career, I have used executive recruiters many times when hiring top people,” McPherson added. “ADK delivered the most thorough, professional and thoughtful process I have ever seen in an executive placement.”
Background: Aviation and Golf in North Carolina
Aviation and golf both go together, and both have long histories in North Carolina. Moore County Airport was built in 1929. It served as an Army training airfield during World War II. Numerous celebrities have used the airport, including Amelia Earhart. Peggy Kirk Bell, one of the pioneers of the Ladies Professional Golf Association, flew from the airport and was the first professional golfer of either gender to pilot a plane to tournaments.
For more details, contact the Airport Manager at Moore County Airport at (910) 692-3212.
