Eric Pratt has been appointed as the new Aviation Director for the City of Concord. He will assume his duties at Concord-Padgett Regional Airport following the retirement of current director Dirk Vanderleest in March.
Pratt brings more than ten years of leadership experience in airport management. In his new role, he will oversee daily operations and strategic planning at Concord-Padgett Regional Airport, which is North Carolina’s fifth busiest airport.
“Concord-Padgett Regional Airport is a cornerstone of our local economy and an important driver of our community’s continued success. Eric’s extensive experience in aviation will be an asset to our city as we continue to strategically plan for the future and position our community as a premier destination for innovation and opportunity,” said City Manager Lloyd Payne.
The airport contributes significantly to the local economy, generating over $1.1 billion in economic output, supporting more than 5,300 jobs, and providing over $474 million in personal income to families and businesses throughout the area. The facility offers flights to 12 destinations along the east coast and Puerto Rico through two commercial airline partners. It also hosts several flight schools and NASCAR teams.
“I’m honored and excited to serve as the new Aviation Director for the City of Concord. This airport is a gateway to opportunity—for businesses, for travelers, and for our entire community. I look forward to working with our dedicated team and partners to strengthen operations, enhance the passenger experience, and position Concord for continued growth and innovation in aviation,” said Pratt.
Pratt began his career as an airport operations officer at Dallas Love Field in Texas before moving on to roles at McKinney National Airport and Mesquite Metro Airport, where he served as director. During his time at Mesquite Metro Airport, he negotiated development deals that doubled both taxable value and economic output while increasing revenues by 100%. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management from the University of Oklahoma, is an Accredited Member of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), has served on several AAAE committees since 2017, participated with the North Central Texas Council of Governments’ Aviation Division for over 12 years, and was named one of Airport Business Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2015.
The City of Concord manages public facilities such as its regional airport—offering commercial flights—and provides services like emergency response, utility management, infrastructure maintenance, environmental education, and public safety through various divisions according to its official website. These efforts contribute to sustainable community development.
Pratt will begin working alongside Vanderleest on March 23 before taking full responsibility after March 31.
