Flagstaff Pulliam Airport and the City of Flagstaff did a phenomenal job hosting this year’s Arizona Airports Association (AzAA) Annual Dutch Bertholf Spring Conference, May 1-3 at the High Country Conference Center – that, according to numerous airport officials including outgoing AzAA President Gladys Wiggins, Airport Director for the Yuma International Airport (shown at right with incoming President Bradley Hagen – photo by Kenn Potts).
“The conference welcome was by the City of Flagstaff Mayor Jerry Nabours who presented a wonderful warm introduction to a great conference,” said Wiggins. AzAA conferences are programmed to strengthen the mission of the organization, which is to provide information, expertise and support to all those in Arizona’s aviation industry. “The Arizona Airports Association has been a cornerstone of professional development for airport managers and aviation professionals in our state for almost 40 years, and it is a testament to the association’s leaders and membership to have such a well-attended and content-rich conference,” said Jennifer Maples, Aviation Superintendent, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
AzAA will continue to foster public recognition of airports, the airport executive profession, and assist in the future development of air transportation in Arizona. Jim Bennett (shown above at left – photo by Kenn Potts), Director of Aviation Services, City of Phoenix Aviation Department told the State Aviation Journal, “The great thing about AzAA conferences is they are a place where airport professionals come together to share ideas, learn new things, and create long lasting business relationships and friendships, right in our own back yard.”
Bradley Hagen, A.A.E., Airport Projects Operations Supervisor at Falcon Field Airport in Mesa was elected as its new President. Hagen has been the Airport Operations Supervisor at Falcon Field Airport since May 2013. He previously served as the Airport Director at Waterloo Regional Airport in Waterloo, Iowa, Rapid City Regional Airport in Rapid City, South Dakota, and Fort Dodge Regional Airport in Fort Dodge, Iowa.
As, Outgoing President, Wiggins said she is truly proud of the dedication and advocacy exhibited by AzAA’s Board of Directors and its members to ensure continued growth and protection of Arizona Airports. “Our Arizona Airports and partners can all be proud of the continuous steps taken to grow our industry, such as recruiting future aviators, protecting our funding sources and educating leadership within our communities.” Wiggins noted that Arizona’s Aviation Day at the Capitol, led by AzAA, has proven to be a useful tool to showcase the aviation industry to State legislators. “Our members and Board should be very proud of the efforts made towards demonstrating how our industry impacts and affects our economy. It was such an honor and privilege to be the President of this amazing Association.”
