Wayne County Jetport Director Receives FAA Manager of the Year Award

Brandon Gray, Executive Director of the Wayne County Jetport, was awarded the General Aviation Manager of the Year Award at the FAA Southern Region Airports Conference earlier this month. Each year, the Southern Region Airports Division selects an airport manager for this award who exemplifies excellence in airport management through significant accomplishments, development initiatives, significant cost-savings, efficiencies achieved, and more.

“It is a true honor and privilege to receive the prestigious award of the FAA’s General Aviation Airport Director of the Year,” said Gray. “This is truly a team award. We have assembled an all-star team and are leading the industry with growth and development. These accomplishments are possible due to the unwavering commitment from the Wayne County Manager’s Office, Wayne County Board of Commissioners, and Wayne Executive Jetport Commission. The last instrumental piece in our success is our professional partners with W.K. Dickson and the NC Division of Aviation.”

Wayne Executive Jetport Commission Chairman Greg Ricker added, “The Wayne Executive Jetport Commission is focused on improvements and advancements to our facilities which support local pilots and businesses. Along with the NCDOT and our engineering firm, Brandon and his team continue to do outstanding work as we work in partnership to achieve our mission. There is a lot of competition for this award, and it is great to see Brandon and Wayne County recognized on a national stage. It takes a team, and we have an outstanding team right here in Wayne County.”

The Wayne Executive Jetport (KGWW) serves the general aviation industry, providing 345 jobs and contributing over $58 million in economic output to Wayne County. Over the past seven years, the Jetport has received over $10 million in funding for improvements to support further growth and development.

Kim Stevens

Kim Stevens is the publisher of State Aviation Journal, which he founded in 2009. A longtime commercial-rated pilot, he was introduced to state aviation in 1992 as Director of the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics, later serving as Deputy Division Director for the Arizona Department of Transportation's Aeronautics Division. From 2013 to 2018, he was Director of Communications and Operations for the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) in Washington, D.C. Relocating to North Carolina, Kim worked for the Raleigh-Durham International Airport for two years and now concentrates solely on the Journal. Prior to his aviation career, Kim spent a decade in the newspaper and magazine business.