On Monday, the City of Richmond Hill appointed Christian Rushing, Mayor Russ Carpenter and Richmond Hill City Manager Chris Lovell to the newly- commissioned airport authority, finalizing the appointments in a special called meeting. Local applications for a spot on the board were open until June 25, according to the City of Richmond Hill Facebook page.

The airport authority was created by Gov. Brian Kemp in a bill he signed in May 2025. All members of the airport authority are tasked with overseeing the development of Richmond Hill’s planned airport, which is estimated to take about four to five years to complete, according to estimates from leading officials.

The noncommercial airport is slated to serve small, private aircraft as well as military and hospital places.

The city also appointed Glen Williard who was also designated by the Development Authority of Bryan County.

The four men will be joining the Bryan County Commissioners delegation, represented by County Administrator Ben Taylor, Commissioner Gene Wallace and Marvin Daniel of Richmond Hill. Representative Jesse Petrea appointed John Seckinger, Senator Ben Watson appointed Eric Rice, Representative Lehman Franklin and Representative Ron Stephens appointed Ryan Purvis, CEO of Development Authority of Bryan County and DABC board member, Trip Addison.