Greg Phillips, who has been at the helm of Colorado Springs Airport (COS) as the Director of Aviation, is set to bid farewell on February 7 after announcing his retirement. His departure was confirmed by the City of Colorado Springs in a recent announcement that underscored Phillips’s legacy and contributions to the city. Mayor Yemi Mobolade praised Phillips's efforts in matching the pace of COS's growth with the demands of an expanding Colorado Springs. "Greg’s work overseeing the growth and expansion of the airport to keep up with the demands of our growing city will positively impact Colorado Springs and the millions of passengers who travel through the COS terminal for years to come," the Mayor said, as per the City of Colorado Springs.
Appointed by former Mayor John Suthers in January 2017, Phillips spearheaded significant advances at COS, including adding nonstop flight options and overseeing a historical milestone with the launch of international travel to Cancun, Mexico. Under his guidance, a considerable number of passengers have passed through the airport, marking an era of record travel. Phillips himself reflected on his tenure, "It has been an honor to work with the incredible team at the Colorado Springs Airport for the past 8 years, during which we have seen incredible growth and made significant contributions to our community," as obtained by the City of Colorado Springs. He went on to hail the expansion of services and the commencement of the airport's first international air service as crowning achievements of his tenure.
Before his appointment at COS, Greg Phillips cut his teeth in both the military and civil aviation sectors. His background includes grueling stints as an Army Ranger and helicopter pilot following his graduation from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Phillips transitioned into civil aviation through roles in Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), before settling into executive airport management.
The baton of interim leadership will be passed to Alex Kovacs, who comes in as acting director with a laundry list of experience in aviation. Having served at the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority for 16 years, Kovacs brings to the table expertise in finance, budget, and risk management as a Certified Member of the American Association of Airport Executives. Meanwhile, the City has its sights set on a national search to find a new COS Airport Director of Aviation, according to official sources.
