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Wanted as airport manager: a uniter

Zephyrhills City Manager Steve Spina says he'll look for a candidate who can create a good working atmosphere to replace Jim Werme.

ZEPHYRHILLS - The city's next airport manager should unify the businesses, oversight board and employees at the airport and continue to promote economic development, City Manager Steve Spina said Thursday.

A day earlier, Spina asked for the resignation of Jim Werme, who has managed the city-run airport for more than 10 years. Spina cited inattention to detail and refusal by Werme to cooperate with his staff.

Spina next plans to meet with the staff and will consider appointing an interim manager.

"They can probably run the show," Spina said of the three full-time employees. "I want to sit down and find out what they need."

In his next hire, he said he'll look for a candidate who can create a good working atmosphere. Discord among Werme and his staff has bubbled over several times this year and ultimately became a factor in Werme's forced departure.

But Spina praised the work Werme did in establishing and promoting an industrial park and continually drawing new businesses to the airport.

"He did a good job with that," Spina said.

Werme's last day was Thursday. He will not stay on during the transition but will collect 30 days' severance pay. Werme, 43, earned almost $50,000 in annual salary.

According to the city's job description, the airport manager must have either a degree in airport management or a management degree with five years of airport work experience. It also requires a pilot's license.

Among the duties are coordinating with federal, state and local governments, grant applications, working with the Airport Authority, negotiating leases with tenants and supervising staff.

Spina said he will advertise the job in newspapers and aviation magazines and Web sites.