HOUGHTON – After 22 years in his position, Dennis M. Hext, Houghton County Memorial Airport manager, has announced he will retire in January.

Hext, a Rhinelander, WI. Native, has worked in the aviation field for more than 34 years. While living in Rhinelander, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving for six and a half years.

Hext said after he was discharged, he became a dispatcher for Simmons Airlines, before becoming a dispatcher for United Airlines. He remained with United for the next 15 years until he accepted the position as the manager of the Houghton County airport.

“So, I’ve got about a little over 34 years of aviation experience,” he said. As airport manager, Hext says he has seen some tough times, but a lot of good times, too. He has also seen changes, including air service. Those include changes from Northwest Airlines, or Mesaba Northwest to SkyWest United Express. “Hopefully, they will stay on here for a long time,” Hext said.

He said aircraft have changed as well. “We’ve gone from from Saabs, used by Mesaba Airlines, to jets,” he said.

The Saab 340s, he said, were twin engine turboprop craft with a 30-36 passenger capacity. “I think in the future we’ll have 70-seat jets up here, and you’re going to see more changes.”

Other changes at the airport have included extensive construction. “We’ve done two runway reconstructions,” Hext said, “and we’re working on trying to get a new terminal in place.”

One thing Hext said he did not imagine he would see is the way the industrial park has expanded and flourished. “When I got here, there was only three or four businesses in here,” he said, “and now there’s only two lots left. That’s really good.”

Hext said after he retires, he will probably remain in the Copper Country and continue with his hobbies, which include flying, and enjoying life. “It’s been a good run,” he said, “and there’s been a lot of ups and a lot downs. I’ve done the best I could, but I was left with a really good airport by the previous airport manager.”

Hext said he has had good, supportive boards behind him as well as excellent staff. “All of my success have been tied to the people who work under me,” he said. “the employees that have are outstanding and people don’t realize that in the county, we’ve got some really good county workers up here.”

Hext said it is not only the employees at the airport. “There are also people at the courthouse that have helped me through the years, like Eric Forsberg (County Controller), and the county administrator.”