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Published: Wednesday, Mar. 20, 2013 / Updated: Wednesday, Mar. 20, 2013 12:04 PM

Rock Hill airport leader plans retirement

Rock Hill-York County Airport’s administrator plans to retire in three months on his 65th birthday.

Eric Ramsdell, a certified airline transport pilot since age 18, announced Tuesday that he’ll retire after more than six years of overseeing the Rock Hill runway.

Before arriving in Rock Hill, Ramsdell was manager of safety and operations for the National Business Aviation Association in Washington, D.C.

He took the D.C. post one day before September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

In wake of the attacks, Ramsdell was instrumental in implementing more stringent security processes and teaching security seminars in conjunction with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

He spent 22 years, the bulk of his aviation career, as director of international flight operations for United Dominion Industries.

In Rock Hill, Ramsdell has guided several infrastructure improvements including upgrades to the runway and approach lights and the airport’s support of extra air traffic during Charlotte’s Democratic National Convention last year.

“Eric is definitely leaving the airport better than when he started,” said City Manager David Vehaun. “He brought extensive experience and a passion for the field of aviation that will be a hard act to follow."