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When Humboldt County Aviation Director Justin Hopman submitted his letter of resignation on March 2, less than two months after taking over the gig, he was uncommonly candid.

“After much reflection and discussion with my family, I have made the difficult decision to step away due to the personal challenges we have faced living in this location,” his letter says. “I am sure you understand the long-term needs and well-being of my family must take priority at this time.”

Reached by phone on Thursday, Hopman reiterated his deference to family. He and his wife grew up in Florida and have lived along the “Space Coast” east of Orlando for most of their lives. They moved to Humboldt County with their two kids after Hopman accepted the aviation director position, and the transplant didn’t quite take. 

“The wife and kids just miss the family,” Hopman said, adding, “They’re in charge, not me.”

Nothing against Humboldt, though.

“This is a really beautiful place,” he said. “Everywhere you look around here can be a postcard. But it’s just, yeah — it’s mostly missing the family support we have there with the kids, grandparents and great-grandparents, that stuff.”

Upon learning of Hopman’s resignation, the Outpost wasn’t alone in wondering whether something seriously dysfunctional might be going on with the county’s Aviation Department. Just five and a half years ago it was brought out from under Public Works to become a standalone county department, and now three directors have resigned in the past 18 months. 

But Hopman said things are actually going really well here, a message echoed by an outside consultant’s report delivered at the last Board of Supervisors meeting. 

“This is a very unique place here,” he said. “It’s kind of exciting, and I’m really disappointed to leave because of it. We just had Breeze [Airways] launch [service to] Burbank today, and we had Breeze launch Vegas yesterday. And Alaska is launching in three weeks, with Seattle runs. That’s, like, unheard of at an airport this size.”

The inaugural flight to Burbank was full, and Hopman said there’s still interest from other air carriers in bringing new routes to the California Redwood Coast-Humboldt County Airport. 

“So there’s a lot of good things happening here,” Hopman said. “I’m disappointed I’m not going to be here to see this [through].” 

He said the Board of Supervisors has been very supportive of the airport and open to his feedback, “which is really refreshing, to have that openness. They want the airport to succeed, and I think they realize it’s a pretty valuable asset here in the community.”

Hopman’s last day on the job is currently scheduled for March 27, though he has offered to help the county transition to new leadership, if needed.

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