Dr. Robin Sobotta Named Airport Director for City of Prescott

The City of Prescott has named Dr. Robin Sobotta Director of the Prescott Municipal Airport.  Dr. Sobotta is the Founding Chair and Professor for the School of Business at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU)-Prescott.  During her tenure with ERAU, Dr. Sobotta has served in several capacities on behalf of the airport.
In support of the strong relationship between the University and the City of Prescott, Dr. Sobotta is “on loan” to the City through the summer of 2019, including an academic year (AY18-19) of sabbatical leave from ERAU.  Having served previously on the airport’s Master Plan Committee and the Mayor’s Ad-Hoc Airport Planning Committee (as well as several other airport-focused committees), Dr. Sobotta has already dedicated many hours of service to the airport and the City.
“We are pleased to bring Dr. Sobotta on board with the City of Prescott,” said Mayor Greg Mengarelli.  “She brings tremendous experience and a track record of dedication to aviation in the Prescott area.”
“This is an exciting time for the airport and the community,” said Dr. Sobotta.  “I am pleased that we are nearing completion of the airport master planning process, seeking to continually improve commercial air service, and actively moving the airport toward its full potential as an economic catalyst for the region.”  
“It is an honor to serve as the Airport Director at Prescott Municipal Airport. I truly appreciate Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s strong support in approving this unique sabbatical experience,” said Dr. Sobotta.
Dr. Sobotta is initially working for the City on a part time basis. Beginning in May, she will dedicate her full time attention to the airport, as she transitions into her sabbatical leave from ERAU. She has 17 years of airport/aviation industry experience, including administration, operations and public outreach experience at three commercial service airports and two general aviation airports. 
She also has 17 years in aviation/aerospace-focused education, training and research, and is the Founding Chair of the ERAU-Prescott School of Business which offers 12 undergraduate business degree program combinations, ranging from Aviation Business Administration to Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination. 
Dr. Sobotta was a business technical consultant to NASA (Armstrong Flight Research Center), and served on the Journal of Aviation and Aerospace Perspectives Board of Editors. For four years, she served as a Commissioner on the Arizona Aerospace and Defense Commission where she chaired Arizona’s Unmanned Aircraft System-Arizona Advisory Committee. 
She is an Accredited Airport Executive, is the co-author of the Administration of Public Airports, 5th ed., as well as numerous other airport/aviation publications. Dr. Sobotta also served on several Transportation Research Board panels, covering a variety of airport-related subjects.
She holds a Ph.D. in Public Administration from Arizona State University, an MBA in Aviation from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and a BS degree from Grand Valley State University, majoring in Public Relations, Advertising and Political Science.