Greenville-Spartanburg Airport District President and CEO Dave Edwards is retiring after 16 years at the helm, the airport announced Jan. 29.
His retirement will take effect Jan. 9, 2026. Edwards assumed leadership for the district in July 2009, and his retirement caps 38 years of service within the aviation industry.
Before coming to GSP, his career began with the Dade County Aviation Department in Miami. He also served as airport director for the Asheville Regional Airport, the executive director of the Titusville-Cocoa (Florida) Airport Authority, and held leadership positions with the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.
According to the airport district, Edwards’ leadership helped GSP achieve numerous milestones during his tenure, including:
- Increased revenues for the Airport District from $18.9 million to $72.2 million
- Increased annual passenger enplanements from 636,987 to 1,447,797
- Positioned GSP as a top 25 cargo airport in the U.S. based on international trade value and volume
- Achieved the greatest number of airlines and the most nonstop destinations in the history of the airport
- Implemented more than $400 million in infrastructure investments including the Wingspan terminal modernization project, the expansion of cargo facilities, the addition of new public parking lots, significant roadway improvements, a new fuel farm, facilities buildings, corporate hangars, airfield improvements, rental car facilities and the expansion of the GSP International Logistics Park
The GSP Airport Commission has established a succession plan and process, and it will execute that plan in advance of Edwards’ departure in January 2026.
