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Metro Denver EDC Names Vallin to leadership position

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The Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation (Metro Denver EDC) announced several new appointments to leadership positions on its Executive Committee and its industry-focused affiliates Sept 2, 2010.
Travis Vallin, vice president and senior project manager for Jviation, will serve as chair of the Metro Denver Aviation Coalition (MDAC) and Bob Deibel, president and owner of OfficeScapes, will be vice chair.

Vallin, who joined Jviation in January of this year, previously served as aeronautics director for the Colorado Department of Transportation where he worked with diverse constituency groups to reach consensus on aviation issues impacting the state. He is a licensed private pilot, an FAA certified airport safety inspector, and previously served as chairman of the National Association of State Aviation Officials in 2007 and 2008. Vallin has a Bachelor of Science degree in airway science management from the University of Nebraska-Kearney.

Obenauer Leaving Bismarck ADO

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Steve Obenauer, Manager of the Bismarck Airports District Office, (ADO) announced this week that he is being reassigned to Minneapolis as the ADO manger there. Obenauer told the State Aviation Journal that it was not an easy choice. The folks in North Dakota are "outstanding people," said Obenauer.

Weidemenn Stepping Down from TXDOT Aviation Division

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Karon Wiedemann is retiring from the Texas Department of Transportation Aviation Division following 38 years of service. Her last day is August 31. Karon received the 2009 NASAO State Aviation Distinguished Service Award in Tucson, Arizona for her exemplary work and dedication to the progress of aviation in her state. (Wiedemenn is pictured with NASAO Chair Vic Bird, left and Dave Fulton.)
Wiedemann’s career in aviation started at an early age while working as the receptionist for the Texas Aeronautics Commission while attending the University of Texas. After two years, Wiedemann moved to the accounting staff where she eventually became chief financial officer for the agency in 1980.
"In 1991, our agency and the State Department of Highways were merged together to create the Texas Department of Transportation,” said Wiedemann in an interview last winter with the State Aviation Journal. "I then became the Director of Grant Management for the Aviation Division of TxDOT."

Ferns Leaving Post in New Hampshire

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  Reflects on NASAO
 

Jack W. Ferns, Director of Aeronautics, Rail and Transit for the New Hampshire Department of Transportation, will be leaving his post this week after 16 years with the state. Though his term ends on August 20, Ferns said he has the opportunity to stay until his position is filled with a qualified applicant with the appropriate knowledge, skills and a focus on transit.

Ferns, a former Chair of the National Association of State Aviation Officials, (NASAO), has been very active promoting aviation not only in his state but on a regional and national level as well. According to Henry Ogrodzinski, President of NASAO, Ferns has served on many of the association's committees, served as a Regional Director and was an association officer for four years.

"I’m very fortunate to live in a small state that offers so much in aviation," said Ferns. "The best thing about aviation in New Hampshire is the diversity of people, pilots, and airports." Every year, as an example, Ferns travels around the state with a member of the Governor’s Executive Council. "We fly to 12 airports in one day (half of NH airports)," said Ferns. "We meet with pilots, airport managers, airport

Publisher Launches New Blog

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State Aviation Journal publisher, Kim Stevens is taking advantage of social media tools such as Twitter and Facebook and is using for the first time this week a new blog.

"I've come into this new world dragging and digging my feet in, but a company called Blog Creation has convinced me it will be worthwhile," said Stevens.

It has already paid off. "Blog Creation has optimized our presence on the web," said Stevens. "We've already attracted a host of new readers." According to Stevens the number of hits on the webpage has increased since using the service.
Check out the publisher's new blog at www.overthewing.com.

TAA BOARD AWARDS CONTRACT FOR MANAGEMENT OF AIRPORT PARKING LOTS

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At its meeting today, the Tucson Airport Authority (TAA) Board of Directors awarded a three-year contract, with two one-year options, to Ace Parking Management, Inc., to operate TAA’s parking facilities, and associated shuttle bus operation at Tucson International Airport.

     In addition to reimbursing approved actual operating expenses, TAA will pay an annual management fee to Ace of $125,000 in the initial years of the agreement. The management fee will increase by $5,000 per year in the remaining years of the agreement.

Day 6 Photos from EAA 2010 AirVenture

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Paul Poberezny, EAA Founder, left and Henry Ogrodzinski, President of the National Association of State Aviation Officials reminisceSaturday on the grounds of the EAA 2010 AirVenture. (SAJ photo by Shahn Sederberg)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FAA Finds Mexico Does Not Meet ICAO Safety Standards

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The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced that Mexico is not in compliance with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), following an assessment of the country’s civil aviation authority. As a result, the United States is downgrading Mexico from a Category 1 to Category 2 rating.
 

Aviation Legends Tucker and Weeks Join Lindbergh Foundation Board

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Two of aviation’s best known names, air show ace Sean D. Tucker (right) and aircraft collection icon Kermit Weeks (below) have joined the board of The Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation to further its long-standing efforts to better the environment.  Both say they were drawn to the Foundation by its substantial programs within the aviation community to further Charles and Anne Lindbergh’s strong interest in applying technology to solve environmental problems.  

“It is a special honor to have individuals with this level of creativity and commitment join with the rest of us on the Lindbergh board at this time of unusual opportunity,” said Lindbergh Chairman and CEO Larry Williams.  Weeks, who has been a friend of the Foundation for a number of years, said he was, “looking forward to being associated with such a great group of people supporting a great cause!” Tucker responded that he, “resonated strongly with the Foundation’s Aviation Green program and wanted to help make a difference in this world.”  The Lindbergh Aviation Green program is a forward-looking, multifaceted effort that targets the aviation community.   It encourages innovative solutions through providing research grants and facilitating significant industry initiatives, acknowledges the progress of those who have made substantial contributions through its annual awards, and communicates new and important ideas through its education programs.

Full Slate of Activities Honor Vets at the 2010 AirVenture

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There was an extensive list of events held this week comprising a "Salute to Veterans" at the EAA's 2010 AirVenture at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin,  including a Parade of Veterans on Friday.
All veterans in attendance were able to participate in the procession, which began at Scotts Warbird Alley and concluded in AeroShell Square. (Pictured)