Happy Landings.

• Author: Beers, Heather
• Position: Tim Campbell, executive director for Salt Lake City Department of Airports - Brief Article

Salmon swim upstream. Ants lift objects several times their weight. And Tim Campbell? He thrives on a career replete with challenges.

Campbell's obstacle course of choice is the aviation industry where he has savored 26 years in management. "It's a very exciting industry," says the new executive director for Salt Lake City Department of Airports. "It's always changing. Every day is a little different, with a new challenge."

He has fed his thirst for challenging tasks by taking management positions in aviation departments in several U.S. cities, such as Boston, Nashville, Fort Lauderdale and Knoxville. And he's repeatedly been responsible for airport operations, profitability, service expansion, and safety -- with a phenomenal rate of success.

Take his position as executive director of the McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville, Tenn. When he arrived, the airport was mired in financial trouble. Campbell helped restore it to profitability and self-sustaining revenues.

In Fort Lauderdale, Fla., he headed a difficult terminal expansion in which the new terminal was literally built on top of the old one. "Operating issues were very challenging. We had to work at it on a day-to-day basis, getting people to and from airplanes successfully," says Campbell.

In Nashville, he developed a major airfield program to respond to the needs of the city's major hub carrier, American Airlines. During this time he was elected chair of the American Association of Airport Executives. "To be recognized by your peers and serve in that capacity is an honor, definitely a highlight of my career." He was also named president-elect of the Nashville Chamber of...