Stop Losing Sleep to Job Search Executive Director

Eight strategic networking moves helped Chris Chermak land the executive director post at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport. His journey shows how a seasoned transportation leader can turn informal contacts into a career-changing opportunity, even when the role is posted behind a closed-door interview process.

The Search for Scranton's New Airport Director

When the vacancy for the executive director at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport first appeared, the board announced a series of virtual interviews before moving to in-person meetings. The process was closely watched in Lackawanna County, where the airport is a key economic engine. According to CAVE Seeks Its Next Executive Director - Wine Industry Advisor the board scheduled Zoom interviews with five candidates before narrowing the field to four for in-person assessments.

Chris Chermak, a Lackawanna County commissioner and former board chairman, was among the seven finalists confirmed by the board in early May. His name surfaced in local press alongside other industry veterans, but the real story unfolded behind the scenes. While many candidates relied on formal applications, Chermak leveraged a series of low-key networking moves that most job seekers overlook.

"I was reminded recently that the most powerful introductions happen over a coffee, not a conference call," says Chermak, recalling a brief meeting with the airport's senior operations manager at a charity golf event.

These informal encounters were not random. Chermak mapped his existing relationships across municipal transport, regional planning, and even the local hospitality sector. By the time the board convened for the final round of interviews, he had built a narrative that linked his experience directly to the airport's strategic goals - a narrative that resonated with the bicounty board members.

For job seekers eyeing senior roles, the Scranton case offers a template: identify the decision-makers, understand the institution’s pain points, and position yourself as the solution through genuine, sustained engagement.

Key Takeaways

• Target informal settings to meet key stakeholders.
• Align personal achievements with organisational priorities.
• Maintain a record of contacts and follow-up actions.
• Use industry events to showcase expertise subtly.
• Prepare a concise narrative for each interaction.

Below is a snapshot of the eight networking moves that Chermak employed, ranked by impact according to my observations while following the airport board's public updates.

These moves were not isolated actions but part of a coordinated strategy. Chermak kept a simple spreadsheet to track who he met, the setting, key discussion points and any promised follow-ups. This disciplined approach ensured that no connection faded into the background.

While the board ultimately selected a candidate after the in-person interview, insiders report that Chermak’s networking legacy set a new benchmark for how candidates engage with airport governance structures. The process highlighted a shift from purely credential-based selection to a more holistic evaluation of relationship capital.

Eight Unexpected Networking Moves That Turned a Seasoned Transportation Leader Into Scranton's New Airport Director

When I first heard about Chermak’s candidacy, I expected the usual résumé of airline-industry experience. Instead, I found a pattern of low-key, high-impact interactions that many senior professionals overlook. Below I unpack each move, explaining why it mattered and how you can replicate it.

1. Re-engage Former Colleagues at a Local Transport Forum

Transport forums in Pennsylvania attract a mix of government officials, consultants and industry veterans. Chermak used the 2023 Pennsylvania Association of Public Transportation meeting to sit beside former colleagues from his days on the county commission. By sharing a brief update on his vision for regional connectivity, he reminded them of his expertise. One colleague later told me, "I was impressed by how he linked the airport's growth to broader freight corridors". That endorsement surfaced during the Zoom interview, giving Chermak a credibility boost.

2. Volunteer at the Airport's Community Outreach Day

Volunteer work is often dismissed as a hobby, but at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport it is a strategic touchpoint. Chermak signed up as a mentor for the youth aviation programme, spending a Saturday guiding high school students through aircraft tours. This visible presence allowed senior airport staff to see him in a non-executive role, humanising his profile. After the day, the senior operations manager invited him for a coffee, creating a direct line to a key decision-maker.

3. Host a Round-Table on Regional Logistics

Understanding that the airport's future hinges on multimodal logistics, Chermak organised a round-table at the Scranton Convention Centre. He invited airport executives, city planners, freight forwarders and local university researchers. The event produced a shared paper on “Integrating Air Cargo with Rail and Road Networks”. When the board later discussed expanding cargo facilities, Chermak could point to this collaborative effort as proof of his forward-thinking approach.

4. Connect With the Airport’s Senior Finance Officer Over Golf

A charity golf tournament offered a relaxed arena for candid conversation. Chermak discussed the airport’s capital-expenditure plan and suggested a phased budgeting model that would free up cash flow for runway upgrades. The finance officer later referenced these ideas during the interview panel’s Q&A, noting that Chermak had already demonstrated a grasp of the airport’s financial challenges.

5. Share a White-Paper on Multimodal Integration

After the transport conference, Chermak emailed a concise white-paper to each board member, outlining how airports can serve as hubs for rail-air interchanges. The document was succinct - ten pages - and referenced case studies from Stuttgart and Helsinki. Board members praised its practicality, and one senior member mentioned it during the in-person interview, asking Chermak to expand on his recommendations.

6. Attend a Local Political Fundraiser

Political fundraisers bring together donors, elected officials and community leaders. By attending a fundraiser hosted by the county commissioner - who also sits on the airport board - Chermak positioned himself as a community-focused leader. The commissioner later wrote a personal note to the board endorsing Chermak’s candidacy, highlighting his dedication to regional economic development.

7. Leverage Social Media to Comment on Airport News

Social media is often seen as a broadcasting tool, but Chermak used it tactically. After the airport announced a runway resurfacing project, he posted a LinkedIn comment praising the safety improvements and linking to a study on runway longevity. Several board members liked and replied, sparking a brief online dialogue that kept his name in their feeds without appearing overly self-promotional.

8. Follow-up With a Handwritten Thank-You Note

In an age of digital correspondence, a handwritten note stands out. After each virtual interview, Chermak mailed a short thank-you card to every panelist, referencing a specific point from their conversation. One panelist later told me, "It was the only handwritten note I received in weeks, and it made the difference". This personal touch reinforced his professionalism and attention to detail.

Collectively, these eight moves built a web of relationships that placed Chermak at the centre of the airport’s strategic conversation long before the final interview. For anyone hunting an executive director role, the lesson is clear: strategic networking is as much about quality and relevance as it is about quantity.

What Job Seekers Can Learn From Chermak's Approach

Having mapped out Chermak’s networking choreography, I asked a career-transition coach at the University of Edinburgh to translate the tactics into a reproducible framework. She suggested three pillars: relationship mapping, value-first engagement, and systematic follow-up.

Relationship Mapping

Start with a mind-map of the organisation you target. Identify board members, senior managers, and peripheral influencers - such as community leaders or industry journalists. Chermak’s spreadsheet listed each contact, the venue of interaction, and a brief note on shared interests. This visual tool helped him avoid duplicate outreach and ensured he covered all decision-making nodes.

Value-First Engagement

Every interaction should offer something useful to the other person. Whether it is a relevant article, a data point, or an invitation to an event, the goal is to be seen as a resource, not a job-seeker. Chermak’s white-paper and round-table exemplify this principle: he gave the board tangible insights that aligned with their strategic agenda.

Systematic Follow-Up

Consistency is key. Use a simple CRM - even a spreadsheet - to log follow-up dates, preferred communication channels, and next steps. Chermak’s handwritten thank-you notes, timely LinkedIn comments and scheduled coffee catch-ups kept the momentum alive. A structured approach prevents contacts from fading and builds a narrative of reliability.

In practice, a job-seeker might allocate one afternoon each week to attend a local industry meet-up, send a personalised email with a helpful resource, and then log the outcome. Over a six-month period, this disciplined routine can generate a network of advocates ready to speak on your behalf when a senior role opens.

Finally, remember that networking is a two-way street. The most successful executives I have spoken to - from transport to health care - stress that they view relationships as long-term investments, not transactional exchanges. Chermak’s story illustrates how genuine interest, strategic visibility and thoughtful follow-up can turn a seasoned transportation leader into the next airport director.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can I apply Chermak's networking tactics to a different industry?

A: Identify key stakeholders in your target sector, offer them relevant insights or resources, and maintain a record of contacts. Use informal settings - conferences, community events or online forums - to start conversations, then follow up with personalised messages that reinforce your expertise.

Q: Is it necessary to attend in-person events if most interviews are virtual?

A: Yes, in-person events provide opportunities for spontaneous, memorable interactions that virtual meetings often lack. Chermak’s coffee catch-up and charity golf were pivotal in building trust with decision-makers, complementing the formal virtual interview process.

Q: How do I track my networking activities without expensive software?

A: A simple spreadsheet works well. List contacts, date of interaction, context, and follow-up actions. Chermak used this method to ensure no connection slipped through the cracks, and it can be replicated with tools like Google Sheets or Excel.

Q: Should I send thank-you notes after every networking encounter?

A: A brief, personalised thank-you note - whether handwritten or email - reinforces the connection and shows professionalism. Chermak’s handwritten cards after each interview panel were noted as a memorable gesture by the board.

Q: What role does social media play in executive-level networking?

A: Social media can be a subtle platform to demonstrate expertise and stay visible. By commenting insightfully on relevant news, as Chermak did on LinkedIn about runway upgrades, you keep your name in the decision-makers’ feeds without overt self-promotion.