A decade of growth: Dirk Vanderleest leaves lasting mark on Concord-Padgett Regional Airport

As he retires, the airport stands as a $1.1 billion economic engine with expanded air service, major infrastructure investments and continued growth on the horizon.

Dirk Vanderleest has been aviation director for the Concord-Padgett Regional Airport since 2017. Photo courtesy of the City of Concord.

Over the past decade, Concord-Padgett Regional Airport has undergone a striking transformation — expanding from a modest regional airport into a growing transportation hub that now plays a significant role in both passenger travel and the local economy. It is currently the fifth-busiest airport in the state.