Columbia airport names new CEO after previous leader’s sudden resignation
After a year-long search, the Columbia Metropolitan Airport finally has a new CEO at its helm after its previous leader, Mike Gula, resigned suddenly last December.
Chris White, a longtime airport administrator in different parts of the country, will become the new head of Columbia’s growing airport, CAE announced Monday.
“Columbia Metropolitan Airport is a vital gateway for the Midlands and South Carolina, and I’m excited to help it grow in ways that support our economy and improve quality of life across the region,” White said in a statement shared alongside the job announcement. “Columbia has strong momentum, and the airport should reflect that through thoughtful, customer-focused service and dependable community partnerships.”
White formerly worked at the Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport Authority and at the Albert J. Ellis Airport in Jacksonville, North Carolina.
“After an extensive search process, we are confident that Mr. White is the ideal executive leader to usher CAE into a bright and successful future,” said Anton Gunn, chair of the airport commission’s search committee, in a statement shared with the media.
Gula, the airport’s previous CEO, left suddenly and in the midst of major projects like plans to build an on-site hotel within walking distance of the terminal, adding new gates and a $3 million effort to add solar panels to the roof of the airport parking deck.
“His decision to resign was made amicably in coordination with the airport’s oversight commission and reflects his desire to pursue new opportunities and spend more time with his family,” the airport’s statement about Gula’s departure stated.
No further information about Gula’s departure was provided. He joined the Columbia airport’s leadership in 2014 as director of operations and was promoted to CEO in 2018.
The Columbia airport offers more than 30 daily flights, with nonstop flights to 10 cities including Atlanta, Washington D.C., New York City, and others.
In 2024, the airport saw 1.3 million passengers. By 2044, that number could surpass 2 million, according to projections by the Federal Aviation Administration.
