Craig Field's Jim Corrigan announces retirement, names new Executive Director

Craig Field Airport leadership is changing hands but staying in the family. 

Executive Director Jim Corrigan announced on Tuesday that he is retiring after seven years running the Craig Field Airport Authority. 

Board member Amos Moore announced in a press conference that the leadership position will be given over to Corrigan’s son, Col. Ryan Corrigan, who also has extensive military aviation experience, including flying F-16s and serving as a command instructor and lead pilot for an Air National Guard demonstration team as well as flying in civil aviation as a former FedEx pilot. 

“I want to modernize and leverage the resources we have here at Selma-Craig Field,” Ryan Corrigan said. “We have an 8,000-foot runway. A railway hub. And we’re positioned in the middle of central Alabama where we can be of use for major distribution. I want to leverage with the state to provide a lean, efficient operation for clients and take our marketing outside of just the state – I want to go regionally and then nationally to start bringing in players.” 

During his seven years leading Craig, Moore said Jim Corrigan stabilized the former Air Force base by selling the houses to the residents with low-interest mortgages, partnering with Dallas County law enforcement to reduce crime, and restoring and improving base facilities, including ongoing work to revive the golf course and fairways. 

Jim Corrigan called the airport a “rough diamond” but said they have a unique team with talent that can help fight to keep polishing the diamond. 

Moore said the authority conducted a nationwide search after Jim Corrigan announced his retirement and received 10applications from five states. Four candidates were interviewed and one stood out. They wanted someone with military experience who could bring in training programs and forge partnerships.  

Ryan Corrigan was born in Selma when his father was stationed at Craig Air Force Base. 

“I was born in 1977, the same year my father was flying the last airplanes out of Craig Air Force Base,” said Ryan Corrigan, who owns a home in Dallas County on the Alabama River.  

Ryan outlined a strategy focused on restoring prominence to Craig Field and developing the airport and industrial complex into a low-cost, efficient hub for industry and military training. The industrial complex includes available hangars and buildings that can be modernized and leased.  

Immediate priorities described by Ryan include completing taxiway reconstruction, modernizing runways, improving ramp and lighting, and increasing weight-bearing capacity to attract larger aircraft such as 757s and 767s. He emphasized pursuing grants and economic development funding, leveraging state partnerships, and marketing regionally and nationally to recruit major maintenance operations and other industry partners. 

Corrigan stressed the importance of collaboration with local leaders and stakeholders, saying revitalization will require a “symbiotic relationship amongst the community, state and region” to grow economic opportunity and create quality jobs. 

Jim Corrigan concluded the ceremony by telling his son he is only a phone call away if he needs him.