Details are scarce about airport director Mason Short's sudden decision to resign Tuesday after a little more than four years heading the Rapid City Regional Airport.

The resignation announced by the airport in a brief news release thanked Short for his four years of service to the community and wished him well in future endeavors. No reasons for the resignation were given.

Board member Ron Johnsen has been named acting director while the board conducts a national search for a permanent director.

Calls to Short and airport board chairwoman Jennifer Landguth were not returned.

Mayor Alan Hanks said Short's resignation is a personnel issue which restricts any additional information he could provide about the situation.

"In all fairness, we need to respect Mason's privacy. Let me just say we appreciate the four years that Mason served. I wish him nothing but success in the future," Hanks said. "I think it would be inappropriate to go beyond that point. The city's a big organization, and whenever we have someone who chooses to move on, we respect that decision and respect their privacy."

Short was hired in April 2004 after serving as manager of the Pierre Regional Airport, replacing Torrance "Tory" Richardson who left to take an airport job in Fort Wayne, Ind. Short has a bachelor's degree in aviation management from Wichita State University and is a licensed commercial pilot and ground instructor.

Hanks said the executive director serves the airport board, and the board will conduct the search for a replacement with the support of the city's human resources department. Hanks isn't sure how long that process might take, but he doesn't think it will be an extended process.

"Whenever we have a vacancy in a department level position, we move very quickly. I don't think this will be any different," he said.

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