We Say Goodbye To Wayne Collins!!
Sadly, on January 27, 2019, we had to say so long to one of our best General Aviation supporters and friend, Wayne Collins. Wayne was born in Mineola Texas, graduating from high school in 1941. His college training at Rice University was interrupted by World War II, serving as an officer and member of the “Greatest Generation” aboard a U.S. Navy ship in the Pacific theater. Following the war, he returned to Rice University to complete his education, graduating in 1948. He continued his military career in the Naval Reserve, retiring at the rank of Captain U. S. Navy.
After his family, flying was the love and constant of Wayne’s life. He flew his beloved Beechcraft Bonanza around the world twice, in 1986 and again in 1990. Wayne was the founding organizer for formation flights to the annual fly-ins to Oshkosh, earning an entry into the Guinness Book of World Records. He provided help to families needing medical transportation through Angel Flights, introduced numerous young people to flying though the Young Eagles program, and delivered two single-engine planes to medical missionaries in Africa for Wings of Hope.
Wayne was the initiator and driving force behind the Wood County Airport from its creation until the day he died. For his lifetime contributions to aviation, Wayne was an easy choice as the first recipient of the Texas Aviator of the Year Award.
God Bless You Wayne. Thanks for all you did for Texas Aviation.
Welcome Aboard To Our New TxDOT Aviation Employees!!
Since last year’s Texas Aviation Conference, we have added five employees to our airport
improvement staff.
The new employees are:
- Mike Van Vliet, Airport Planner
- Harry Sutherland, Airport Inspector
- Anna Ramirez, Grants Manager
We’re also pleased to have back with us three excellent former employees:
- Megan McLellan, Airport Planner
- Sheri Quinlan, Grants Manager
- Robert Johnson, P.E. Project Manager