Michael Richardson to continue in role as airport manager
The City of Bartlesville took over control of operations of the City-owned Bartlesville Municipal Airport on Monday.
While the airport has always been owned by the City, management of its operation had been provided by ConocoPhillips and the preceding Phillips companies for several years.
ConocoPhillips announced last year that it would terminate its lease-operating agreement with the City effective Aug. 15.
City Manager Mike Bailey said today the City has resumed oversight of airport operations — a move made much easier by Airport Manager Michael Richardson’s decision to stay on following the switch, Bailey said.
“Mike has been the airport manager for many years as an employee of ConocoPhillips,” he said. “We offered to retain him in that position as an employee of the City and, thankfully, he accepted our offer and will continue in his role as airport manager. We were also able to bring his entire airport crew into the City fold, so the airport was able to retain all of the critical knowledge of its staff.”
Bailey said so far the transfer has gone well.
“The Phillips companies have operated the airport for as far back as I can remember, so it was a bit of a learning curve for City staff as we began learning the ins and outs of running an airport,” he said. “Fortunately, ConocoPhillips and Phillips 66 worked with us every step of the way, and that certainly made that transition easier. We are grateful to them for their excellent management of the airport all these years. Our collaboration with them, coupled with Mike and his crew agreeing to stay on, has all but ensured a seamless transition.”