As part of its 2025-2029 Capital Investment Plan, the MassDOT Board of Directors this week voted to approve $577.3M for the MassDOT Aeronautics Division to fund the reliability and modernization of the state’s 35 public use airports. The figure represents the full amount in the original draft plan.
The overall $16.7 billion five-year transportation plan prioritizes a wide variety of local and statewide projects including rail, roadway, and investments in Regional Transportation Authorities.
The vote followed a 21-day public comment period for the draft CIP, which was open from June 20 through July 10. During that period, many MAMA members testified at public hearings and provided written comments in support of full approval of the $577.3M assigned to the Aeronautics Division.
MAMA President Chris Willenborg praised the outpouring of support from the Massachusetts aviation community to the plan which identified nearly two hundred proposed airport capital improvement projects planned over the next five years. Willenborg said, “It’s gratifying to note that the MassDOT Board of Directors recognizes the important work of the Aeronautics Division and the public use airports in Massachusetts.”
For more information on MassDOT’s CIP, please visit: www.mass.gov/CIP. The final FY25-29 CIP will be published on the website over the next few days.
Photo above – FAA New England Regional Administrator Colleen D’Alessandro addresses attendees.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is
celebrating the groundbreaking of the Taxiway B South project at
Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport in Western Massachusetts.
Airport officials broke ground on the $32 million project on
Monday, May 13, at a ceremony attended by elected officials, municipal leaders,
and members of the 104th Fighter Wing of the Massachusetts Air National Guard. When completed, the Taxiway B
South project will significantly improve airfield safety for civilian and
military operations. Westfield-Barnes
Regional Airport is one of 35 public use airports across Massachusetts overseen
by MassDOT’s Aeronautics Division.
“Our airports are a vital part of Massachusetts’s
transportation network, linking residents, visitors and businesses and spurring
economic activity in their communities,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO
Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “On behalf of everyone in the community, I want to thank the
104th Fighter Wing and the airport management team for their determination and
their ongoing work to bring this vision to life.”
“We congratulate the entire team at Westfield-Barnes
Regional Airport on this groundbreaking and look forward to supporting them in
every way that we can in this endeavor,” said MassDOT Aeronautics Administrator
Jeff DeCarlo. “The regional economic importance of Westfield-Barnes cannot be
overstated, making this infrastructural upgrade a welcome development for the
surrounding community.”
Christopher Willenborg, Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport
manager said the airport is a significant transportation asset and economic
engine for Western Massachusetts that generates approximately 2,100 jobs. The
airport has an economic impact of $236M each year.
“The Taxiway B South Relocation and Construction Project
will enhance the safety of civilian and military aircraft utilizing
Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport,” said Willenborg. “We greatly appreciate the
spirit of collaboration and cooperation between the five funding agencies
including the Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Defense National
Guard Bureau, Massachusetts Governor Military Taskforce, MassDOT Aeronautics
Division, and City of Westfield.”
The $32 million project is the largest single investment in
infrastructure improvement in the airport’s 100-year history, expected to be
completed by the end of 2024. The project consists of three main components:
Realigning and widening of Taxiway B South
Realigning and widening of Taxiway E
Reconstructing and expanding the South Arm Apron
In addition to widening and realigning the taxiways, these
changes will enhance the safety of aircraft operations by lowering the possibility of runway incursions at the Taxiway B South and
Runway 15-33 intersection. The Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport is a
significant transportation asset and economic engine for Western Massachusetts,
supporting about 2,100 direct and indirect jobs, an annual economic output of
$236 million, and serving business, corporate, emergency, military, and
recreational flyers.
“As a longtime supporter of Barnes and the capable airmen
and women who support and defend the Commonwealth and this nation, I was
thrilled to join Adjutant General Keefe and Colonel Halasi-Kun last May to
announce the assignment of a new fleet of F-35A aircraft to Barnes. Just one
year later, we are breaking ground on a project that will prepare Barnes to
receive the new aircraft, guaranteeing the long-term viability of the base and
ensuring the 104th Fighter Wing can continue its vital mission for years to
come,” said Congressman Richard E. Neal. “Ensuring the sustainability of both
Barnes Air National Guard Base and Westover Air Reserve Base has been a top
priority of mine throughout my time in Congress. I am pleased to partake in the
groundbreaking of yet another project, one that will play a vital role in
improving airfield safety for civilian and military operations.”
Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Airways,
has expanded its U.S. network and will offer increased capacity to the region
with the introduction of a new service to Boston, Massachusetts. The carrier’s
inaugural flight arrived on 31 March, commencing the regular service that will
see the airline operate four flights per week to Boston. Boston is Etihad
Cargo’s fourth U.S. destination, and the new route reinforces Etihad Cargo’s
commitment to providing tailored cargo solutions to the North American region.
The new service will be operated on a state-of-the-art
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which will provide an additional cargo capacity of 50 tons
per week, catering to the robust demand for freight between Boston and Abu
Dhabi. Etihad Cargo will offer tailor-made solutions for the diverse range of
commodities prevalent in the Boston region, with a focus on perishables,
medical instruments, pharmaceuticals, and aircraft parts.
Boston is recognized globally as a critical hub for food,
pharmaceuticals, and cutting-edge research and development. Etihad Cargo’s
expansion into this market is poised to significantly enhance the flow of
perishables such as lobsters and seafood, as well as critical pharmaceuticals,
including medical devices and oncology treatments, from Boston to Abu Dhabi and
the rest of the world.
The launch of the Boston route marks the latest addition to
Etihad Cargo’s comprehensive US network, which includes double daily flights to
New York’s JFK airport, daily services to Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and Washington,
D.C. (IAD), and a weekly freighter service to Chicago. This expansion brings
the total number of flights Etihad Cargo operates to the US to 33 per week and
demonstrates the airline’s ongoing efforts to enhance global connectivity and
support trade across its network.
Stanislas Brun, Vice President of Cargo at Etihad Cargo,
said: “The introduction of the Boston route is a strategic expansion of
Etihad Cargo’s US network, offering more belly capacity to partners and
customers. Boston is an important destination for food and pharmaceuticals, as
well as a center for innovation and development. Etihad Cargo’s Abu
Dhabi-Boston service will support the region’s export economy, particularly in
facilitating the global distribution of its world-class seafood and
breakthrough medical products, and further strengthen trade ties between the US
and UAE.”
Further enhancing the carrier’s capabilities in the US,
Etihad Cargo expanded its network with Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), a
member of the SATS Group, to incorporate all the carrier’s stations in the US.
This partnership has elevated Etihad Cargo’s premium offerings and enabled the
carrier to deliver consistent, high-quality, end-to-end air cargo solutions via
its CEIV-certified products, including PharmaLife, designed for the secure
transport of pharmaceuticals; FreshForward, which ensures the freshness of
perishable goods; and specialized services like LiveAnimals and SkyStables,
dedicated to the safe and humane transport of live animals.
The Aeronautics Division of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has applied for $1 million in funding from the Federal Highway Administration’s “Accelerated Innovation Deployment (AID) Demonstration” Program, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and authorized to accelerate innovation in highway transportation.
The proposal represents the second stage of a three-phase
project, using Unmanned Aircraft Systems (“UAS,” also known as drones,) to
create a “digital software systems infrastructure.” The system converts UAS
remotely sensed data into actionable information designed to help optimize the
management processes and operations of MassDOT’s Highway Division.
Funding for this stage would complement the project’s
initial phase, for which MassDOT Aeronautics received $1 million from the AID
program in 2021. MassDOT matched the initial AID grant funding with additional
funding of $250,000, the same proposed match for the current proposal.
“The AID grant application represents a unique opportunity
to improve the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of the state’s
transportation system while providing a transformative national model for
public transportation management,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica
Tibbits-Nutt.
“By using drones to collect and analyze data on highway
infrastructure, this second phase of our project represents a significant step
toward leveraging new technology to help MassDOT Highway improve management
processes, strategic planning, and operations,” said MassDOT Aeronautics
Administrator Jeff DeCarlo.
The UAS-based digital infrastructure is designed to
integrate with MassDOT Highway projects across Massachusetts, ranging from
rural to urban locations, supporting a range of projects, including advanced
bridge inspection, asset mapping, construction monitoring, and highway corridor
asset detection/inspection.
“The Highway Division looks forward to an active partnership
as this invaluable MassDOT Aeronautics’ project works to make surface
transportation safer, more responsive to public needs and more adaptable to new
technologies,” said MassDOT Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver.
The AID grant request is part of the Healey-Driscoll
Administration’s whole of government strategy to compete for federal dollars
with recent successes, including a $372 million award towards rebuild the Cape
Cod Bridges and $108 million for West-East rail improvements, as well as more
than $1.9 billion in still pending federal funding applications to advance
projects that further equity, mobility, competitiveness, workforce development
and climate resiliency in communities across Massachusetts.
“The AID application leverages Massachusetts’ strength as a
hub for innovation to improve the safety of our transportation,” said Director
of Federal Funds and Infrastructure Quentin Palfrey. “We look forward to
working with our federal partners as part of our whole-of-government approach
to compete for the historic federal investments made by the Biden
administration in the future of transportation, energy, technology, and more.”
The Massachusetts Airport Management Association (MAMA) has
announced the creation of a new scholarship program to honor the late Arthur G.
Allen who served as chairman of the Massachusetts Aeronautical Commission from
2003-2007. The program joins the long-established Crocker Snow Memorial
Scholarship program named to honor the first MAC Chairman who served from 1939
through the early 1970’s.
Arthur G. Allen
Both programs will be managed by the MAMA Scholarship
Committee headed by Westover Airport Manager Andy Widor who said, “Thanks
to a generous gift from the Allen family, this scholarship will allow Arthur’s
legacy to live on.
Mr. Allen’s passion in aviation was first experienced in
1967 when he took flight aboard a private aircraft that eventually led to
flight lessons. He would be proud of the scholarship awardees as it will give
them an opportunity to pursue their love of aviation as well.” The Allen
program will grant one scholarship of $2,500 annually to a college student
preparing for a career in aviation management, pilot training, or aircraft
maintenance.
Accepting the grant, MAMA President Chris Willenborg said,
“MAMA is honored and pleased to administer the Arthur G. Allen Memorial
Scholarship Fund on behalf of Arthur’s wife, Linda Allen and Arthur’s daughter,
Kimberly Lugo. I had the pleasure to work with Arthur Allen while he served as
the Chairman of the former Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission. Arthur was
passionate about aviation/airports and engaged frequently with aviation
stakeholders across the statewide system of public-use airports in Massachusetts
during his tenure.”
College students preparing for a career in aviation
management are also encouraged to apply for the Crocker Snow Memorial
Scholarship valued at $2,000 in 2024. Snow was an early pioneer in the
Massachusetts aviation community. He founded one of the first FBOs at what
would later become Boston’s Logan Airport, helped establish North Atlantic air
bases and navigation routes during WWII and served on many national committees
to help develop innovative airport and flight operation procedures.
Arthur G. Allen served as MAC Commissioner from 2003-2007. A
dedicated advocate for aviation, Arthur undertook a mission to personally visit
every private airport in Massachusetts, engaging with airport managers and
pilots alike. Post-9/11, he personally financed a study evaluating the security
of all private airports in the state when funding was unavailable.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing a Request for Responses (RFR) has been issued by the Aeronautics Division for consultant services to plan, permit, and design a smart microgrid at Cape Cod Gateway Airport in Hyannis. Earlier this year, the Aeronautics Division received a $1.95 million grant award from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Program to support the planning of the smart microgrid which seeks to generate and distribute clean, reliable power at the airport.
“We are grateful for the support of our federal
partners which has allowed the Commonwealth’s Aeronautics Division to get
started on this groundbreaking microgrid project,” said MassDOT Secretary
and CEO Gina Fiandaca. “The climate crisis is the Commonwealth’s greatest
challenge, and innovative projects such as this at the airport in Hyannis will
move us forward in reaching our greenhouse gas reduction goals while working
toward creating a reliable, multimodal, and energy efficient transportation
system.”
“A clean energy future starts here at home in Massachusetts
by making sure that our transportation system runs on electricity—from the
roads we drive on to the planes we fly on,” said Senator Ed Markey. “I applaud
MassDOT Aeronautics for investing $1.95 million to build a smart grid that will
supercharge vehicles at Cape Cod Gateway Airport with clean, renewable energy.
This smart grid will not only keep Bay State communities safe and healthy, but
it will also allow the clean energy revolution to soar.”
“Southeastern Massachusetts is a hub of clean energy
initiatives. It is also where we are seeing most imminently the effects of
climate change in the state,” said Congressman Bill Keating. “Projects like
this one at Cape Cod Gateway Airport highlight the Commonwealth’s commitment to
moving us forward in ways that will support and sustain Cape communities that
rely on our local transportation infrastructure for everything from supplies
and goods to tourism. I applaud the Commonwealth for using these federal funds
for such an important project.”
“MassDOT Aeronautics is thrilled to announce our search for
consultant services to plan for the installation of a smart microgrid at Cape
Cod Gateway Airport,” said MassDOT Aeronautics Administrator Jeff DeCarlo.
“This underscores our focus on integrating electric air and ground vehicles into
a multimodal system powered by renewable energy, advancing efficient, clean
transportation in the Commonwealth.”
“We’re excited to begin work on this mission-critical
project,” said Owen Silbaugh, Chief Engineer and Director of Airport
Engineering at MassDOT Aeronautics, the Project Director for the SMART grant
project. “Planning a robust infrastructure for the electrification of ground
vehicles and aircraft at Cape Cod Gateway Airport provides a powerful clean
energy transportation model for other airports in the Commonwealth and across
the nation.”
Power from the smart grid would be generated by facilitating
the charging of electric ground vehicles, including buses, and in the future,
electric aircraft. In collaboration with the airport and the Cape Cod Regional
Transit Authority, the initiative aims to increase clean energy independence
while helping to support the disadvantaged community living near the airport in
Hyannis.
The RFR is currently posted on COMMBUYS at https://lnkd.in/gnNmykbz. The deadline for submitting proposals is 5:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday, August 16, 2023.
Photo above – Former co-workers of Denise Garcia (center) during the 22nd Fighter Squadron F-15 Maintainers Reunion at the Weisbrod Museum in Pueblo CO.
By Penny Rafferty Hamilton, Ph.D.
Denise Garcia
Denise Garcia is the Deputy Administrator for the MassDOT Aeronautics Division overseeing aviation administration and policy matters for the Commonwealth. Denise began her career at MassDOT 22 years ago as an aviation planner with what was then the Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission – the forerunner of the MassDOT Aeronautics Division.
Before joining
MassDOT, Denise worked for the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) as a
noise abatement technician and communications specialist in Airport Operations
at Logan Airport and had a distinguished aviation maintenance and leadership
career in the U.S. Air Force.
How did you first get inspired to work in the aviation industry?
“My first flight in
a Cessna 150 is one I’ll never forget because it was a turning point in my
life. After suddenly losing my mom at 15, I was having a tough time adjusting.
A family friend took me flying in his plane which was based at Middleboro
Airport in Massachusetts. Once we left the airport and headed south over
Narraganset Bay, he let me fly the plane. Taking the controls that day gave me
a chance to see the world from a new perspective and move past my sorrow. Once
I got into the plane, I was completely focused on flying and taking in the
beautiful views of the coastline. That’s the moment I became excited about my
future and knew I wanted to travel and see the world after graduation.
Mentors (Tech Sergeant Stapper (male) & Sergeant Johnson (female) are shown front and center in the photo. Denise is the 2nd person from left in 2nd row from the bottom.
At 17, I enlisted
in the Air Force. My first career choice was air traffic control but there
weren’t any openings at the time, so I enlisted as an aircraft mechanic. After
Vietnam, the military was promoting Equal Employment Opportunity, so they had
just opened non-traditional fields such as aircraft maintenance to women. I
became one of the first women in the military to serve as an aircraft crew
chief. Some people were betting I wouldn’t last one month on the flight line,
so I set out to prove them wrong and never looked back.
I continued my career
in military aviation and spent 22 years in the Air Force where I worked on the
SR-71, F-15. F-16, and A-10 fleet of aircraft at military bases worldwide and
earned a Bachelor’s degree in Professional Aeronautics and a Master’s degree in
Aviation/Aerospace Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.”
What’s your first memory of aviation?
“When I was in the
6th grade, our class went on a school field trip to Otis AFB in Bourne,
Massachusetts. The highlight of our trip was a tour of the air traffic control
tower. I was immediately impressed by the “bird’s eye view” of the airfield and
the teamwork of the controllers. One of my best memories from that day was
using their binoculars to gain a close-up view of the aircraft. My dad loaned
me his prized Brownie Reflex camera for the trip and to my surprise they made
an exception to the rules and allowed me to take pictures from the control
tower. I came home beaming that afternoon. It inspired my interest in aviation
and photography!”
Who has inspired you the most (any mentors you want to mention)?
“Looking back, I’ve had some wonderful co-workers and mentors who’ve helped shape my career. I learned a great deal about teamwork and tenacity as an airman in basic training and met many people from diverse backgrounds who encouraged me to push on through early morning runs, unpleasant assignments (such as KP duty), and many other training obstacles. Our military training instructors Tech Sergeant Stapper and Sergeant Johnson (See photo above) were tough on us but great role models who turned 50 new trainees into a strong team of professional young women ready to take on new challenges!
Denise with Chief Sanchez (left) and General Davis, taken at the 22nd Fighter Squadron F-15 Maintainers Reunion at the Weisbrod Museum in Pueblo CO in September 2022.)
Later in my career,
a former Maintenance Officer from Bitburg Air Base in Germany, Captain Glen
Davis, (who is now a retired two-star general) took a chance and selected me as
a new flight chief to manage a group of 50 F-15 mechanics. This was a role that
I didn’t believe I was ready for but was one of the best assignments I ever
had. I deployed to Al Kharj Air Base in Saudi Arabia during the Gulf War with
this great group of men and women, and many of them have since become life-long
friends. Once I’d settled into my role as a flight chief, our Maintenance
Branch Chief, Frank Sanchez, gave me some tough advice on getting out of my
comfort zone and taking on new assignments to better position myself for future
promotions. Following that talk, I took his advice and was selected for a new
job in Maintenance Supervision.
What I love the
most about aviation is that it’s always challenging, and you never stop
learning!” (Photo at right – Denise with Chief Sanchez (left) and General
Davis, taken at the 22nd Fighter Squadron F-15 Maintainers Reunion at the
Weisbrod Museum in Pueblo CO in September 2022.)
Advice for other women inside our industry or thinking about aviation and aerospace?
“This industry is a
great career choice for women because the field is very diverse and offers many
opportunities for personal and professional growth. I enjoy speaking with young
women about their future career prospects because outreach is such an important
part of what we do in aviation.
I’m always excited
to see students learning about aviation and STEM education at a young age. But
everyone isn’t fortunate enough to have that experience. That’s why it’s so
important for us to get out to the schools to educate students on the possible
career choices that are available to them.
My advice to women
in this industry would be to believe in yourself! If you have a dream, pursue
it, and ignore those who try to stop you! You’ll have setbacks along the way
but be persistent and don’t give up on your goals! There will always be people
who doubt you, but no one knows your strengths better than you do. Align
yourself with positive people and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need
it.
If your
organization has a mentorship program, sign up. If there is a job posting that
interests you, go for it! Most employers want to hire people with passion and a
strong work ethic and don’t expect the candidates to know everything about the
job before hiring them.
Become familiar
with the industry organizations and resources available to you that support
your interests and career goals. Volunteer to join a committee or narrate a
conference panel and become an active member of the group. The relationships
you build through those associations will often open new doors and prepare you
for future leadership roles.”
Additional Background?
“My affiliation
with industry organizations such as the National Association of State Aviation
Officials (NASAO) has opened many doors for me and further enriched my career
through networking and professional development. It’s always exciting to attend
NASAO events and serve on aviation committees to discuss airport industry
challenges and new innovations in technology with other state aviation
officials. It has also been my honor to represent NASAO as the recently
appointed Regional Director for New England, serving CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, and
VT. Additionally, I’ve learned about the Transportation Research Board (TRB)
and its resources through my interactions with NASAO. Since that introduction,
I have participated on many speaking panels, research, and synthesis projects,
Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) committees with focus on Aviation
Administration & Policy and Aviation System Planning and serve as an ACRP
Ambassador.
After working in aviation for 49 years I can see that my career has come full circle, starting with the military, and still working with them at MassDOT on airport projects in a new but still relevant way. I’ve experienced many highpoints in my career on both the military and civil side that included an incentive flight (photo at right) in the back seat of an F-15 where I experienced the effects of 7.5 g’s and a negative 2g dive – without getting sick, supporting the trio of world record setting flights as a maintainer in the SR-71 Blackbird program at Beale AFB where the speed and altitude records were set in July 1976 and still stand today, serving my country in the SW Asia theater in support of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, a long rewarding career at MassDOT and having the privilege of traveling to 26 countries and meeting many interesting people from very diverse backgrounds and cultures. Aviation is a very rewarding field to work in. I hope that when I retire from MassDOT in four years, I will have contributed enough to inspire others and to have made a difference in this industry.”
Massachusetts Airport Management Association’s (MAMA) newly
organized Emerging Leaders Committee has quickly developed into an active force
within the 50-year-old organization that advocates for Massachusetts’ 38
public-use airports.
With a mission to cultivate future MAMA leaders through
knowledge sharing, educational opportunities, networking, and mentorship, the
committee serves to support and develop leaders under the age of 35 or those
with less than 10 years’ experience in the aviation industry.
Committee Leadership
Natalie Pavelock
Natalie Pavelock chairs the committee which now boasts
eighteen members. She is an aviation planner for Jacobs and is based Bedford,
NH. She has worked on projects throughout New England and beyond, but her
background originates in airport operations while employed at PSM. Natalie
obtained her private pilot license and associates degree in aviation science
then attended Daniel Webster College/SNHU where she earned her bachelor’s
degree in aviation management. Natalie also served as the first chair of the
Young Professionals Committee of the Northeast Chapter of AAAE.
Samantha Smithies
Samantha Smithies co-chairs the committee and has been named
recently as a Civil Engineer with the Safety and Standards Branch of the FAA
New England Regional Office. Previously she served as a civil designer and
resident inspector for Stantec, based in Burlington MA. Samantha holds a
bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Wentworth Institute and says she
believes each airport is unique and deserves its own special attention and
consideration during design and construction. Samantha holds a high value on
the impact the aviation industry has on communities.
Off and Running
Smithies said their direction is clear, “The Emerging
Leaders Committee was created with the goal to support the people who are the
future of our industry, and to support the missions of MAMA as an organization.
It’s important to get motivated minds involved to better understand the ways we
can uplift and support the aviation industry, as airports are a critical part
of all our communities. Aviation is ever-growing, and so is the Emerging
Leaders Committee – we welcome anyone interested in joining to get involved
with the group, as it will make our impacts and our future stronger.”
After organizing in February, Pavelock said the group dug
right in, “After receiving an overwhelming amount of support from MAMA, we
held our first member-led meeting in March. Topics discussed included
legislative updates, upcoming MAMA events, and a passionate guest speaker who
discussed the challenges currently facing the industry and how emerging leaders
can help. Up next was a one-on-one with STEM staff from the FAA New England
Region. Now, we are planning our first in-person meeting which will be hosted
at Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport on May 12.”
Following the first two well-attended meetings, MAMA
President Matt Ellia said, “The MAMA Board of Directors is thrilled with
the exciting start of our Emerging Leaders group. Natalie and Sam have gone
above and beyond to drive this effort which is already exceeding
expectations!”
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has
announced it has received $4 million total from the U.S. Department of
Transportation (USDOT) Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing
Transportation (SMART) Grant Program.
The money will support the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Aeronautics
and Rail and Transit Division’s clean energy grid and climate-related
initiatives.
The MassDOT Aeronautics Division received a $2 million grant
award which will be used to support the planning of a smart microgrid that
generates and distributes clean, reliable power at Cape Cod Gateway Airport in
Hyannis, facilitating reliable charging of electric ground vehicles (including
buses) and in future, aircraft. In collaboration with Cape Cod Gateway Airport
and the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority, the initiative aims to increase
clean energy independence while supporting the historically disadvantaged
community living near the Airport.
“We are honored that the U.S. Department of Transportation
has selected MassDOT Aeronautics to make Massachusetts a smart grid model for
clean, reliable, equitable transportation and economic development,” said
MassDOT Aeronautics Administrator Jeffrey DeCarlo.
“We are thrilled to partner with MassDOT Aeronautics on a
clean energy smart grid grant,” said Katie Servis, Airport Manager of Cape Cod
Gateway Airport. “Facilitating the construction and operation of this
infrastructure could transform our community, through the use of greener
technologies for our fleet vehicles, leading to improvements in air quality, a
reduction in carbon emissions, reduced noise in communities adjacent to the
Airport and the entire town of Barnstable, as well as good-paying jobs, such as
for high-skilled mechanics to service electric vehicles and aircraft.”
Members of the Massachusetts Airport Management Association
have elected a new Board of Directors for 2022-2023. MAMA, which advocates for
the support of the state’s 37 public use airports, is made up of airport
managers, commissioners, engineering consultants and service providers. The
election was held at MAMA’s Annual Conference last month in Springfield, MA.
Pictured from L to R, Geoff Freeman of Marthas Vineyard Airport, David Dinneen of Gale Associates, Jean Mongillo of Hoyle Tanner, Chris Willenborg of Westfield Barnes Airport, Andy Widor of Westover Airport, Matt Elia of Cape Cod Gateway Airport, Dan Shearer of Pittsfield Airport, Matt Cardillo of Plymouth Airport and Tom Hurley, MAMA Executive Director.
Elected to one-year terms were President Matt Elia, Asst.
Airport Manager at Cape Cod Gateway Airport, Vice President Christopher
Willenborg, Airport Manager at Westfield-Barnes Airport, Secretary Daniel
Shearer, Airport Manager of Pittsfield Municipal Airport and Treasurer Andrew
Widor, Airport Manager of Westover Metropolitan Airport. Also elected to the
Board of Directors were Matt Cardillo, Airport Manager at Plymouth Airport,
David Dinneen, Business Development Professional at Gale Associates, Geoff
Freeman, Airport Manager at Marthas Vineyard Airport, Jean Mongillo, VP and
Senior Airport Engineer at Hoyle Tanner. David Graham, former MAMA President,
was appointed to the newly created honorary position of Historian.
In his public remarks, President Elia outlined a list of
organizational priorities including calling for increased funding for the
Commonwealth’s airports which provide $24.7 billion in annual economic output
and protecting the Massachusetts state aviation sales tax exemption which
supports more than 199,000 aviation-related positions across the state. The
data comes from a recent Statewide Airport Economic Study conducted by the
MassDOT Aeronautics Division.
