PIERRE, S.D.(DRGNews)- The new manager of the Pierre Regional Airport started on the job this week.

Brian Cowles says he’s happy to be living in a small town.

Cowles most recently worked at the Branson, Missouri, Airport.

Cowles will oversee all airport operations including facilities management, licensing and regulations, federal reporting, hangar and hay leases, Airport Rescue Firefighter Operations, as well as coordination with the federal Transportation Safety Administration, Denver Air Connection, Mustang Aviation, state and federal Departments of Transportation and local vendors.

Last year, Pierre Regional Airport had more than 16,000 commercial enplanements in addition to the airport’s general aviation activity.

Cowels replaces Cameron Howard who served as Pierre’s Airport Manager since April 2020.