Reviewed by: Amelia Pilgrim
Huntsville airport names new CEO after retirement of Butch Roberts
Reading time: 4 minutes
The Huntsville-Madison County Airport Authority announced that Huntsville International Airport CEO Butch Roberts will retire at the end of this year. Roberts served the Port of Huntsville for four decades, four of which were spent as the Huntsville airport CEO.
Upon the departure of Roberts, effective January 1, 2027, new CEO Amy Murphree will take over. Murphree has served as the Chief Legal Officer for the Port of Huntsville since 2019.
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Butch Roberts to be succeeded by Amy Murphree as Huntsville airport CEO
The changing of the guard comes during an unprecedented time of growth for the airport. Record passenger traffic numbers have been recorded in each of the last three years, and saw major enhancements and expansion, including:
- $12 million expansion and renovation of Signature Aviation
- Construction of a 111,000-square-foot maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility
- Renovations to the concourse and terminal building totaling over $25 million
- Renovations to the airport’s food, beverage and retail concessions
Under Roberts’ tenure as the Huntsville airport CEO, the Port of Huntsville:
- Obtained a license from the Federal Aviation Administration to land a commercial space vehicle at the airport
- Was named the # 1 Best Small Airport in the U.S. in the Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards for two consecutive years (2024 and 2025)
- Added nonstop flights to Tampa, Orlando, Las Vegas, New York City, Fort Lauderdale and Gulf Shores
- Welcomed ultra-low cost carrier Allegiant Air; and increased passenger traffic by over 40%
“I am very grateful to the Board of Directors for giving me the opportunity to serve as CEO, and I am proud of the Port of Huntsville team and the accomplishments we have achieved together. After careful consideration and planning, I am ready to retire knowing that I am leaving the Port of Huntsville team in capable hands under the leadership of Amy Murphree.”
Butch Roberts, CEO of Huntsville International Airport
That is a tough act to follow, but Murphree brings a wealth of experience to CEO role.
Murphree holds a Master of Laws in Taxation from the University of Alabama School of Law, a Juris Doctor from the University of Alabama School of Law and a Bachelor of Science in Commerce and Business Administration from the University of Alabama.
In 2025, she earned the highest professional mark in the aviation industry, the Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) designation from the American Association of Airport Executives.
Murphree was selected to be a member of the Airports Council International – North America Legal Affairs Steering Group, and she has been an active participant in that group for several years. Murphree is a graduate of the Leadership Greater Huntsville Flagship Program, Class L-36.
“We have an incredible team of talented, dedicated professionals here at the Port of Huntsville, and I am truly honored and grateful to the Board for giving me the opportunity to lead that team.
I am excited to begin work on a new Master Plan that will ensure that the Port of Huntsville meets the needs of our community for many years to come. With the economic growth our community is experiencing, the future is bright for the Port of Huntsville.”
Amy Murphree, incoming CEO for Huntsville International Airport
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