A crowded field of applicants are vying for a vacant seat on the Santa Maria Public Airport District, including two former directors and two recent candidates.

With the close of the application period Wednesday, eight district residents threw their hats into the ring to fill the seat emptied by the resignation of director Michael Houser.

Houser submitted a letter of resignation May 7 citing family and work reasons for his departure. Whoever is appointed will serve the remainder of the term, which will be on the ballot in November 2008.

At their May 10 meeting, the board of directors opted to take applications for the seat instead of calling a costly special election. Applications were due Wednesday, and the board discussed the vacancy Thursday night. However, no decision on an appointment will be made until June 14, as required by statute.

Applicants are invited to attend the June 14 meeting to make a short presentation to the board and answer directors' questions.

Applications were submitted by:

n James Bray, a senior environmental specialist for Plains Exploration & Production Company says in his application that his experience in military, business and community groups qualify him to help the airport reach its potential. He ran unsuccessfully for one of the two open seats on the board in 2006.

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n Stephen Gordon, a communications engineer with Charter Communications, says now that his children are grown, he is looking to become further involved in the community.

n Anne Green, who has been active in the community for 20 years, is a retired investment adviser with Merrill Lynch and has been involved with various groups such as Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce, Salvation Army and Santa Maria Organization of Transportation Helpers. Her commitment to the community and business insight make her a good candidate, according to her application.

n Dick Hulme, who has been in the area for 30 years, is one of two former board members looking to return to the post. He is currently the vice president of operations with American Ethanol Inc., and says his past work with the board makes him an excellent candidate who will need minimal training.

n John Will, owner of the engineering contracting firm, The J.F. Will Company Inc., also ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the board in November. However, Will was the next highest vote getter behind the winners. He says in his application that his background in business and engineering can help the airport with planned growth.

n Hugh Rafferty, who has been in the area for 28 years, is a retired operations engineer from IBM Corp. and Lockheed-Martin. He is involved with various groups such as the Santa Barbara County Taxpayers' Association, Committee to Improve North County and Santa Maria Joint Union High School District Measure C2004 school bond oversight committee. Rafferty says that background will give him a good perspective on airport governance.

n James Robertson, is a senior consultant with Glenoaks Associates and sees his training in management and finances as a benefit to the district. In his application, he says he has watched the city and airport grow and he hopes to apply his knowledge to airport issues.

n Bob Stahl is the second former board member looking to return and is currently a technical consultant. He is retired from Vandenberg Air Force Base in space systems, according to his application. He says his past experience on the board and work in many facets of aviation make him a good candidate.

Malia Spencer can be reached

at 739-2219 or mspencer@santamariatimes.com.

May 27, 2007