Michael Moskal, the Head of the Finance Department at Harrisburg International Airport (HIA), brings a wealth of experience from his extensive career in finance.

Career Journey

Michael began his career right out of college as an accountant in upstate New York. He later transitioned to a staff accountant role for a non-profit organization in Clearwater, Florida, where he swiftly rose through the ranks to become the Director of Finance and Interim CFO.

With years of experience under his belt, Michael joined Harrisburg International Airport, quickly progressing from staff accountant to Deputy Director of Finance. His comprehensive understanding of daily operations has enabled him to effectively lead the Finance Department.

Being an independent fiduciary and managing financial assets within a trust keeps Michael engaged in investment trends, which he leverages for the airport’s benefit.

Roles of the Finance Department

Michael’s primary roles as Head of the Finance Department at HIA encompass both financial and managerial responsibilities. The finance team includes Tom, the Purchasing Agent; Ben, the Staff Accountant; two interns; and Michael as the Deputy Director of Finance.

On the financial front, Michael oversees the meticulous processing of all financial transactions and plays a pivotal role in crafting the airport’s annual budget. He also leads the facilitation of the annual audit process, ensuring all staff adhere to transparency and regulatory standards. Looking ahead, Michael manages bond debt, grant awards, and investment of reserve funds, all based on his forecasting and planning for the next 2-5 years of operations.

In addition to his financial duties, Michael oversees the Property Management Department, responsible for tenant activity across all SARAA airports, including Harrisburg International Airport, Capital City Airport, Gettysburg Regional Airport, and Franklin County Regional Airport. He also holds senior leadership over the IT department.

Collaboration

Michael ensures seamless collaboration across departments, regulatory bodies, and stakeholders through regular meetings, audits, and open communication. This approach fosters teamwork, transparency, and adherence to industry standards, ensuring efficient financial management and alignment with Harrisburg International Airport’s strategic goals.

Financial Mission and Vision

Michael emphasizes that financial planning aligns closely with the airport’s vision of “More flights, more places, more often.” Each budget year, his department strategically plans expenditures to support the authority’s growth objectives while keeping rates and charges competitive. This approach aims to attract additional airline partners and expand service offerings.

Michael’s focus is on ensuring cost savings and maintaining competitive operational costs, directly supporting the airport’s mission of providing safe, convenient, and affordable connections for central Pennsylvania residents to the world.

Notable Achievements

During the pandemic, under Michael’s leadership, SARAA faced a 95% decrease in passenger activity but managed to avoid any staff layoffs and ended the year with a positive net income. His strategic management of COVID relief funds enabled the completion of overdue O&M repairs, and his decision to refinance outstanding bonds saved the airport millions.

Success in the Finance Department

Michael defines success as the safe and efficient operation of the airport’s facilities while maintaining affordability for current and prospective partners. Financial success is measured by increasing the airport’s capital reserves, executing capital projects across all campuses, and achieving clean audits that reflect accuracy and compliance.

Stay tuned for more insights into the inner workings of Harrisburg International Airport in our upcoming blog posts!

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, and X for the latest updates.