Justin Hopman, we hardly knew ye. | Photo via County of Humboldt.

###

PREVIOUSLY

###

Wow! Humboldt County is having a very difficult time retaining a director of aviation. To quickly recap the recent revolving door for that job:

  • Cody Roggatz, who was the first director after Aviation was made a standalone department, was hired in August 2018 and resigned under an apparent threat of dismissal in September 2024. The circumstances of this split have never been publicly revealed.
  • Roggatz’s successor, former Crescent City airport director Ryan Cooley, held the job for just over two months before throwing in the towel in August 2025.
  • And today comes word that our latest director of aviation, Justin Hopman, who came to us from the Space Coast of Florida, has likewise resigned just two months in. His last day on the job will be March 27.

Why is this happening? We plan to investigate, but if you have any inside info, please let us know: news@lostcoastoutpost.com

###

Here’s the press release from the County of Humboldt:

Justin Hopman, C.M., ACE, will be resigning as Humboldt County’s Director of Aviation, effective Friday, March 27.

Hopman joined the county as Aviation Director on Jan. 5.

“After much reflection and discussion with my family, I have made the difficult decision to step away from my role as Humboldt County’s Aviation Director,” said Justin Hopman. “The needs and well-being of my family must always take priority. This decision was not easy to make, and I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity that was presented to me.”

The County of Humboldt thanks Hopman for his work and wishes him well in his future endeavors.

“While this outcome is not what we hoped for, we respect Justin’s decision to prioritize what is best for his family,” said Third District Supervisor and Board Chair Mike Wilson. “Aviation continues to be vital to Humboldt’s connectivity and economic growth, and the Board remains committed to supporting the needs of the community and the Aviation Department.”

Humboldt County’s aviation system is experiencing transformative growth, with expanded air service at the California Redwood Coast-Humboldt County Airport (ACV) creating more opportunities than ever for the community to connect with destinations near and far. As this remains an important priority for the county, the Board of Supervisors will continue investigating the best path forward while the search for a new Aviation Director begins.

For more information on the Humboldt County Department of Aviation, please visit FlyACV.com.