Les Mitchell

Les Mitchell has over 33 years experience in airport operations. His passion for airports started in Alice Springs when he accompanied his father on a number of airstrip inspection trips throughout central Australia swagging it by a campfire under the stars. Les lives by the motto ‘failing to plan is planning to fail’ due to the nature of his early learnings when communications was by a two way radio and help was often days away.

For the past 15 years Les, his wife Lyn with their children Caitlyn and Keven have called Gove home. Les commenced with the Nhulunbuy Corporation as an Airport Technical Officer in 2000 and was appointed Manager, Airport Operations in 2007. During his time at the airport Les has been fortunate to be involved in three runway reseals, the relocation of half the runway, addition of a new jet parking facility, terminal building, roads and car parks, introduction of passenger checked baggage screening and the overall operations of safety, security and customer service.

Les completed Year 12 in Sydney and was a surveyor’s assistant with the Fairfield City Council. He achieved a Diploma in Surveying, secured a traineeship as a Technical Officer engineering with the Department of Transport and worked on Sydney KS Airport where he was in charge of assets. Les moved to Alice Springs in 1987 as an Aerodrome Inspector. In 1989 he relocated to Darwin to become a District Aerodrome Inspector. For the next 11 years the role of the aerodrome inspector transformed from operational to Airport Safety Auditor, his desire to return to a hands on airport was granted when a position become available at Gove Airport and to this day the fairy tale continues.

Les enjoys playing and spectating all sports. He has been on numerous sporting club committees and continues to volunteer his time to coaching and officiating local sporting events. Les currently coaches the local junior tennis players to compete successfully in intrastate tournaments and continually encourages tennis players of all ages to participate on the courts.