Yakima City Manager Vicki Baker has named Christopher Hopkins the new Yakima air terminal director. Hopkins will begin his tenure as Yakima air terminal director on Monday, January 12th.
“Because of the significant role the airport plays in the economic health of the Yakima Valley, we were looking for someone who has extensive airport management skills and can build relationships with tenants at the airport, the airport staff, funding partners, etc.,” said Baker. “Christoper fits that bill well. I’m confident he will both manage day-to-day operations of the airport while also developing and implementing a vision for its future,” said Baker.
Hopkins most recently served as a consultant developing Aerospace Center of Excellence locations at U.S. airports. Prior to that, he was assistant director of aviation at the Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport. He was a vice president – aviation and government services for HSS, Inc., a provider of airport aviation security services. In that role, Mr. Hopkins provided oversight of security teams at Denver International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, Salt Lake City International Airport, and Milwaukee Mitchel International Airport. He also was chief operation officer of Wings Over the Rockies-Exploration of Flight, a campus in Denver that educates people about the world of aerospace.
“I’m excited for the opportunities that the Yakima airport offers to grow not only commercial air service there but also to foster new prospects that will benefit the entire Yakima Valley economy,” said Hopkins. “Yakima is a wonderful community and I’m looking forward to being part of it.”
Hopkins is a professional member of the American Association of Airport Executives with certifications as a Certified Member (C.M.), Airport Security Coordinator (A.S.C.), and Airport Certified Employee (A.C.E.)
The City’s Human Resources Department oversaw a nationwide search for a new airport director for the City of Yakima. The search began a few days after the resignation of the former airport director in October 2025.
