Preston Harimon Named Nantucket's New Assistant Airport Manager

The Nantucket Memorial Airport announced Friday afternoon that they have promoted Preston Harimon from compliance manager to assistant airport manager. The promotion will be effective February 21, 2023.

Harimon told the Current that he is excited to work alongside airport manager Noah Karberg, who was officially promoted to that job on Jan. 1 after Tom Rafter retired from the position after 10 years.

"Noah stepped up into that position after Tom retired and it is going to be excellent," Harimon said. "I think it is going to take us to the next level. As for me I am happy to be on that train. I am nervous. I am excited. But I am going to just take it one step at a time."

Harimon first came to the island in 2001 and 2002 as a seasonal airport worker providing help on the ramp. He was hired full-time before moving back to Nebraska, his home state, about 18 months later.

It wasn't long until Harimon and his wife had the urge to return to Nantucket. They moved back to the island in 2004. Harimon jumped back on the airport's staff and has been on island ever since serving as an integral part of the airport's operations in a variety of capacities over the past 19 years 

Harimon has held the positions of operations specialist, operations supervisor, operations superintendent and compliance manager.

Airport manager Noah Karberg said in a release that Harimon brings nearly two decades of airport operations, line service, and airport rescue and firefighting experience into his new administrative role.

“Preston has an impressive career arc and has displayed an incredible attention to airfield safety and compliance” Karberg said. “He is a consensus leader, and I am thrilled that he has accepted this position.”

Harimon is also a licensed Part 107 Drone Pilot and holds an ACE-Operations Certification from the American Association of Airport Executives.

“I’m excited to begin my new role as assistant airport manager here at Nantucket Memorial Airport," Harimon said. "The past 19 years have gone by in a blink of an eye. From starting off as a seasonal employee and working my way up through the organization, I have gained a wealth of knowledge and experience in many different aspects of the aviation industry. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for my extremely professional and skilled co-workers, supervisors, superintendents, and managers. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this little yet amazingly busy airport.”