Mayor Names Retired Law Director to Airport Board - Articles

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Posted by: Julia Wilburn on Jul 21, 2026

Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell has nominated newly retired Metro Legal Director Wally Dietz to the locally appointed Metro Nashville Airport Authority, a pick that needs Metro Council approval at its July 21 meeting and would run through 2031. The Nashville Post reports that the nomination comes as a new state law took effect July 1 replacing the local board with a state-appointed one. O'Connell has declined to name anyone to that panel, and the original Metro-appointed board continues operating. Metro Nashville is suing over the takeover, arguing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) cannot recognize the new state board without Metro's consent. The state-appointed board recently voted to withdraw from that lawsuit. A preliminary ruling is expected by month's end.