Airport spokeswoman Barbara Gann declined to comment.

Williams took the airport's reins in May. Before that, he had been director of the New Orleans Airport. He took over the Salt Lake job a year after it had been vacated by Tim Campbell, who left to oversee the Baltimore/Washington International Airport.

During his tenure, Williams negotiated with Delta to try to open Salt Lake City's first nonstop flight to Europe. Discussion over the summer pointed to the possibility of a Delta Salt Lake-to-Paris flight by the middle of next year, but earlier this month, Williams said that timetable seemed unlikely.

Williams has also pushed for building a TRAX light-rail line to run to the airport. County and state leaders are working on prioritizing transportation projects that would be funded if voters approve a quarter-cent sales-tax increase next month. Williams has also dealt with several construction projects at the airport.

Anderson said those goals will continue to be pursued. "We have all of the upper-level management people there now who have been there for many years," he said.

In his statement, Williams made reference to "individuals who have assisted and supported me during my brief time in this position," but he did not mention conflicts or disagreements between himself and other airport or city staff, including the mayor.

Christensen said the termination was not sparked by personality clashes. Public perception, he said, is that "in many instances, Rocky pulls the trigger or has difficulty working with people. In this instance it was the right thing to do. It had nothing to do with personalities. It had everything to do with the business of the airport."

Russ Pack, who served as acting director after Campbell quit and before Williams was hired, will serve as acting director again until a replacement is hired. Pack retired in August as the airport's director of commercial and administration business after 29 years of working with the city.

Williams' replacement will be hired by Anderson, with input from the airport advisory board, Christensen said. He expects the search for a replacement to begin immediately.

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E-mail: dsmeath@desnews.com