Cameron Humphres, newly appointed executive director of Rapid City Regional Airport, says running an airport is one of the most stressful jobs he's had - which is an odd statement from a guy who flew B-1 bombers during a 20-year military career.

Humphres, who served as deputy airport director the past 15 months, says flying at supersonic speeds is a cinch compared to dealing with the myriad of federal, state and local regulations imposed on the aviation industry.

"It can be stressful, but it's also very rewarding," he said. "When you put 500,000 passengers or better through a terminal in a year, and you do it safely, securely and comfortably, there's a great deal of satisfaction. I love being around airplanes and I love being around people."

Humphres was named the airport's new executive director on Friday though his appointment won't officially go into effect until the Sept. 23 airport board meeting. Humphres will take over from former director Mason Short, who suddenly resigned without explanation on Aug. 26, after four years leading the airport.

Humphres said Short established a great foundation for the airport, but he didn't feel comfortable talking about Short's decision to resign. Humphres did say he enjoyed working for Short, and wants to continue to build on the foundation of great air service Short built.

"When you think about the economy and the state of the aviation industry, it's pretty incredible that we have grown our air service here in Rapid City," Humphres said. "The first thing is to continue to provide good strong air service for people in the region, and provide it in a safe, secure and cost-effective manner."

Humphres retired from the Air Force in 2005 after a 20-year career that took him to Arizona, Oklahoma, Texas and Ellsworth Air Force Base. His wife, Carla, and his three children moved to Rapid City in 1995.

Humphres worked up through the ranks as a co-pilot, aircraft commander, B-1 instructor, B-1 operational test pilot and went to B-1 weapons school and became a weapons officer. While in the military, he earned a bachelor's degree in professional aeronautics with concentrations in maintenance and management, and a master's degree in aviation business administration, both from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

From the time he was three years old, sitting on his father's shoulders watching the Blue Angels at a New Mexico air show, Humphres wanted to be a pilot.

After high school at Worland, Wyo., he enlisted in the Air Force as an aircraft mechanic and was based in Tucson, Ariz. He also married his high school sweetheart, Carla, and they started a family.

Humphres' military career track was put on hold in 1997 when his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. Humphres and his family were supposed to move to another staff job at another base, possibly Langley, Va., or the Pentagon, but fortunately the Air Force allowed him to remain at Ellsworth.

"I just wanted to take care of her and my family. The Air Force was good enough to allow me to stay here at Ellsworth where we had extended family, a great network of friends that helped us through," he said.

Carla died in early 2007. A couple of months later, Humphres answered an ad for the deputy director position and was surprised when he got the job over three other candidates who had a lot of experience.

Now, he's looking forward to taking over as airport director. The airport is changing its organizational structure to cope with increased regulatory burdens that have expanded since 9/11 by creating a maintenance division and an operations division. It will be challenging, but Humphres is eager to start.

"I'm going into this with my eyes wide open because I've been here for 15-plus months," he said. "I'm excited. Of course with any new position there's a bit of nervousness that comes along with it, but that's a good thing. A little bit of nervousness keeps you sharp."

Contact Scott Aust at 394-8415, or scott.aust@rapidcityjournal.com