After 40 years of service, 10 of those in Baldwin County, Gulf Shores International Airport has announced that its director, Scott Fuller, will be retiring in November.

"I've been all over the country for over 40 years developing airports," Fuller said. "I am looking forward to moving back home [Satellite Beach, Florida], getting out of the day-to-day grind and spending time with my grandkids."

Fuller has been in the aviation industry for over 50 years, and he has families ties that go back further. His family history includes owning one of the first airports in Florida, the Piper/Fuller airport in St. Pete, and his father was a commercial pilot for the CAA and was responsible for the construction of the first VOR in the Southeast, which is a navigation system that uses high frequency radio signals emitted by radio beacons.

His own career has included serving as the manager of business development of Pan Am World Services, CEO of Airport Technologies Inc., COO of American Airports Corporation and many positions with airport authorities, cities and counties as airport director. He is storied for developing airports and was certified by the International Civil Aviation Organization arm of the United Nations as one of their airport operations experts in 2005. He is also listed in the 75th edition of Maquis' "Who's Who in America" for contributions to the aviation industry.

Fuller said that while he is disappointed to be retiring before the completion of the airport's first terminals, he will remain involved with the project and will assist in acquiring the federal funds needed to complete the terminals. According to the airport, he will remain on as executive emeritus until the terminal project is finished and its new air service instituted.

"My main focus is getting the federal funds to finish the terminals, but I would like to stay involved in negotiating with the airlines, writing agreements and getting everything accomplished," Fuller said. "I would have liked to stay and see it through, but it got to the point where I was stuck between what I want to do and what I don't want to do."

Fuller said he doesn't anticipate his retirement causing complications with the current plan for the airport.

Earlier this summer, Fuller spoke to Gulf Coast Media about the upcoming projects for growth at the airport, which is just north of the Intracoastal Waterway, Lulu's and The Track. In addition to adding commercial terminals and flights, Fuller said there are plans to update fencing and security systems, remark the runways, repave taxi lanes, design a new fire station and construct a new hangar office complex, all part of a multiyear process to convert from a busy general aviation to a fully certified Part 139 Airport.

At the time of the previous article, Fuller said the airport was in the process of selecting an engineer for the commercial terminals before entering the design phase.

"We expect funding to come out around September for airline terminal projects and be ready to go when the grant announcements come out around December or January," Fuller said. "Right now, construction is slated to begin in March 2024 with a March 2025 completion date. We are talking to a number of airlines right now, but we are putting them off until 2025."

Fuller said he will be assisting in the search for his replacement and chose to leave in November to help the new director get acclimated to the position.

"The city and airport authority are beginning the search in a few months, and I will be available to help with the search," Fuller said. "If they need me, they can always call me, and I will be here to help the new director settle in and get comfortable in the position."

As for his time working in aviation, Fuller said he is proud of all he has accomplished in the past 40 years.

"I've brought air service to Atlantic City, spent time with Pan-Am, started my own company, and if it weren't for a family issue I would stay, " Fuller said. "I am quite proud of what I did here throughout my 10 years in Gulf Shores. The growth is what has made it really fun. All of the infrastructure, roads, resorts and tourism in this place has been mighty impressive, and I've loved that.

"What has set me apart in my career is that I do my homework and try to think of new approaches that others haven't thought of. It is a lot of work and effort that you have to put in, and if a law got in my way I would work to change the law," Fuller said. "But, this has been a great experience. The support and camaraderie here have been greater than anywhere I have known, and everyone in Baldwin County has welcomed me with open arms."