For Andrew Hunter, YSJ isn’t just where he works – it’s in his DNA. His father served as an airport firefighter for 35 years, retiring after a long and dedicated career. And both of Andrew’s brothers have worked at YSJ in maintenance and firefighting roles.
Andrew spent his early career in heavy equipment and construction, work he enjoyed but that slowed down every winter. In 2002, looking for something to get him through the off-season, he applied for a seasonal winter position at the Saint John Airport.
He thought it would be a temporary gig but, by 2006, he joined the YSJ team full-time. His strong work ethic and steady leadership led him to a foreman role and, later, after additional training and certification, to the maintenance supervisor position he holds today.
But ask Andrew what he’s most proud of, and he won’t talk about titles or years of experience. He talks about people. “I’ve got a heck of a crew,” he says. “Good bunch of workers. Good people to be around.”
It takes many different trades and specialties to run an airport smoothly. YSJ’s maintenance division includes heavy equipment operators, mechanics, electricians, carpenters, runway maintenance teams and more. Many of the crew, Andrew says, are true jacks of all trades – and they’re out no matter the weather.
Hunter isn’t just a surname. Outside of work, Andrew is an avid hunter, a passion that has earned him recognition beyond the airport. He was recently featured in Big Buck Magazine, sharing a story that reflects the same patience, preparation, and respect for the outdoors that he brings to his work at YSJ.
To Andrew, the airport isn’t just a place of work – it’s part of his family’s legacy and a community he’s proud to serve. His journey from a seasonal worker just trying to get by in winter to the leader of YSJ’s maintenance operations is a testament to dedication, skill, and the pride of working with a team that cares deeply about what they do.
Ask him what keeps him here after all these years, and he doesn’t hesitate. “It’s the people,” he says. “Always the people.”