Hefty severance packages mulled for two outgoing airport execs

Monday, April 20, 1998 | 9:08 a.m.

The packages, hammered out by authority lawyers last week, would give Executive Director Bob White $256,125 in pay and benefits and Director of Administration Jim Kitchel $182,593.

The packages would exceed those paid to remove other local government executives in recent years.

In late 1996, Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority CEO Jay Milligan got an early retirement severance package worth $159,967, the highest such package in the Reno area.

"It's not easy to negotiate these things, as you know," authority board Chairman Luther Mack said. "It's tough to come up with a number everybody will be satisfied with.

"There might be changes. Some might think it's too much, some might think it's not enough."

Even though White and Kitchel are resigning, officials for the agency that manages Reno-Tahoe International Airport are calling their departures early retirements.

Neither man has a contract. White, 54, assumed his post nine years ago and will leave Dec. 31. Kitchel, whose age was unavailable, landed his job seven years ago and will leave May 1.

White's package would include one year's pay of $107,625, plus $6,500 for health insurance and a two-year consulting contract with the authority valued at $142,000.

Kitchel's package would include one year's pay of $89,093, plus $6,500 for health insurance and a two-year consulting contract with the authority worth $44,000. He also would get $35,000 for accumulated sick leave and $8,000 for unused vacation time.

Mack defended the consulting contracts, saying the authority needs the expertise of White and Kitchel as it hires new executives and brings them up to speed. He said it could take six months to find a new executive director.

"It may appear to be a large sum, but it could cost us more money later," Mack said. "We may just have to bite the bullet and move on."