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County Councilman Gastgeb gets airport job
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An Allegheny County councilman has been hired to fill a new job at Pittsburgh International Airport involving efforts to boost air travel and service.
Vince Gastgeb, a Bethel Park Republican, will start his job as director of corporate and community relations with the Allegheny County Airport Authority on Feb. 19, spokeswoman JoAnn Jenny said. He will be paid $113,500 a year.
In a statement, Ms. Jenny said the position is designed "to increase the awareness of Pittsburgh International Airport in this competitive airport environment to businesses, corporate organizations and other key community leadership stakeholders in an effort to increase air travel in Pittsburgh."
The job posting states that the director also will be involved in attracting "new usages for airlines including being able to assist in developing and closing meetings with other airports and airlines to meet budget and/or stated goals."
Mr. Gastgeb is currently senior manager of perishable sales for Acosta Sales and Marketing. While he has extensive sales background, he acknowledged in an interview that he had no aviation experience. Nevertheless, he maintained that was not needed for the job.
He said the new position was "all sales related" and that his background in sales and government qualified him for the job.
"You have to find someone who has private sales experience but also someone who has knowledge of the public sector," he said.
Mr. Gastgeb also has served in various capacities with Sara Lee Foods, Heluva Good Cheese Co., and Sargento Cheese Co.
He has been on county council since the start of the new home rule government in 2000.
According to the airport authority statement, he was hired by Bradley D. Penrod, the authority's executive director, over several other candidates. Another county council member, Jan Rea, a McCandless Republican, serves on the airport authority board.
First Published January 31, 2013 4:45 pm
