Clark County’s head aviation official, Randall H. Walker, announced today that he’s resigning to go to work in the private-sector.

Walker oversaw McCarran International Airport, the nation's fifth-busiest airport (by passenger count), as well as North Las Vegas Airport, Henderson Executive Airport, Jean Sport Aviation Center and the airport in Overton.

With a slightly more than 1,200 employees McCarran generates about $324 million annually. Most cities could only wish for such a cash cow.

The county still plans to proceed with a new airport in the Ivanpah Valley for international flights, a cause championed by Walker.

Despite ongoing construction and expansion, McCarran is expected to reach capacity around 2011. There’s only so much land available around the airport and Las Vegas—the city of excess—doesn’t appear to show any signs of slowing down or limiting growth.

The Ivanpah airport will help support a growing tourist economy.