Members of the Oklahoma Airport Operators Association (OAOA) named Guthrie-Edmond Regional Airport as the state’s top airport for 2020. Schellon Stanley, the Guthrie/Edmond Airport Director was also selected as the 2020 airport manager of the year.
Stanley came to the Guthrie/Edmond airport in 2015 after serving as the Airport Operations Officer at OU Westheimer Airport in Norman. In addition, Stanley served as a Site Manger and instructor at Sooner Flight Academy also in Norman. Stanley holds a Masters in Aerospace/Aviation Management from Oklahoma State University.
“Schellon has been a tireless worker for the aviation industry providing support to the Aeronautics Commission in various capacities and at numerous events such as Oklahoma Women in Aviation and Aerospace Day and AERO Oklahoma, which is our industry day held at the Capitol each year during the legislative session. She also hosts a summer camp for school-aged children and fly-ins at the airport to bring attention to the possibilities of aviation and aerospace careers for kids. We are proud of her accomplishments and she is deserving of this honor,” said Victor Bird, State Director of Aeronautics.
The airport receiving top billing in the state, has 132 based aircraft and is located 30 miles from downtown Oklahoma City and boasts a 5,001 ft. runway. The airport has greatly improved their infrastructure over the last two decades, and thanks to several major projects, including their runway extension, has seen tremendous growth over that time period unlike any airport in Oklahoma.
In FY25, the Aeronautics Commission plans to assist the airport with a $4.9 million project to relocate the parallel taxiway in order to meet FAA runway/taxiway separation standards to support larger business jet type aircraft and ensuring the airport can meet the needs of commerce and industry for these two Oklahoma communities. Guthrie-Edmond Regional Airport is used by numerous businesses, including some of Guthrie and Edmond’s top employers such as Lazy E Arena, Zivko Aeronautics, Baron Exploration, John Vance Auto Group, and Wheels Up Partners.
In addition to the aforementioned awards, OAOA President Pat Hurley honored State Director of Aeronautics, Victor Bird, with the prestigious President’s award for his service and support of Oklahoma airports for the 18 years he’s served as Director. “I’m honored to receive this award from OAOA. This association has shown what an amazing group of airvangelists can do when they come together to help serve the greater aviation community in Oklahoma and help move the airport system forward,” said Director Bird. Several other individuals received awards for their hard work and success in Oklahoma aviation. Don Nuzum, Airport Manager for the Ponca City Regional Airport received the Pioneer Award for his long-standing work with the association and with airports across Oklahoma. Don is one of the longest serving active airport managers in the association.
In addition to the awards, OAOA took action at its annual meeting last month to elect a new round of officers for the upcoming year. Lance Lamkin, Airport Administrator for the Max Westheimer Airport in Norman was elected as President, Paul Priegel, Airport Director for Stillwater Regional Airport will be Vice President, and Drew Saffell, Airport Manager for Muskogee Davis Regional Airport will be Secretary. Immediate Past President will be Pat Hurley from the Lawton Ft. Sill Regional Airport and Treasurer is Gary Johnson from Stillwater.
