Airport Staff

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Phil Lanier
Airport Director

Phil Lanier has over 15 years of experience in the NC Aviation Industry with the majority of his time focused on airport project management, including areas of grant administration, construction, leasing, operations and maintenance.  He has served as Airport Director for the Johnston County Airport Authority since 2017, and has overseen the investment of twenty-one million dollars in capital expansion projects, inclusive of the airports first two Public-Private Partnerships.  Mr. Lanier is currently serving on the North Carolina Airports Association Board of Directors as a Region 2 representative.  Mr. Lanier grew up in Winston Salem, NC and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Engineering and Management from North Carolina State University in 2005.

 

 

Helen Simmons
Executive Administrator

Helen Simmons was born and raised in West Germany. She married a native of Johnston County in 1991, and immigrated to the US. Helen worked for Girsberger Industries, a Swiss Company here in Smithfield,  from 1994 –  1999. She joined the airport team in August of 1999 when Roy Dixon was the manager.

Her quote: "I have seen it all!" 

 

Laura Smith
Customer Service Representative

Laura Smith was born in the UK; she was a Purchase Ledger Controller for 11 years at Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group. Formerly known as Marshall of Cambridge Airport, it was originally founded by David Gregory Marshall in 1909. She is a military spouse with 2 children, she has been stateside since 2014 and she proudly became a US citizen October 2020. She has been with us at the airport since January 2020.

 

 

Casey Huffman
Customer Service Representative

Casey is a Smithfield native, and a graduate of University of North Carolina Wilmington. She has worked at JNX since December 2020. In her spare time she likes reading, baking, and archery.

 

Keegan Lax
Line Service Supervisor

Keegan is an aviation enthusiast. He has been working in aviation ground service since 2013. He got his start while in the Navy working for a squadron in Japan, since then he has worked at the FBOs in Wilmington, NC, and Raleigh, NC. He has degrees in Airport Management, he looks forward to providing the best customer service possible.

 

Zak McLamb
Operations and Maintenance

Zak oversees the Operations and Maintenance here at Johnston Regional Airport.  As a lifetime resident of Johnston County, he has watched this area evolve into an important economic location and is honored to serve his home community.  Zak attended Benson Elementary and South Johnston High School before graduating from North Carolina State University.  When not at work he enjoys playing upright bass, church activities, camping, piloting R/C cars and aircraft, and family time.