Spokane International Airport directors today nominated former Providence Health Care chief executive Ryland "Skip" Davis to be interim manager.

If approved by the Spokane City Council and County Commissioners, he would replace Neal Sealock, who is retiring after five years in the position to pursue a Ph.D.

The board accepted Sealock's resignation today.

Davis retired as head of Providence in 2008. A pilot who owns an airplane hangared at Felts Field, he said he has monitored aviation issues for years. 

Davis said he will serve while the board conducts a national search for a permanent replacement, but added "I don't intend this to be a caretaker kind of period."

He said he wants to draw more attention to the airport's potential as an economic driver for the region.

---

---