An update on several new airport managers in Texas; they operate some of the larger general aviation airports that significantly impact aviation in their areas.
Bill Looke, a retired Air Force Colonel, finally came home to Lake Jackson to become the Brazoria County airport manager in July 1997. Looke wasted no time in implementing some of his ideas concerning the operation of an airport-updating all airport leases and eliminating all hangar-use not related to airport activity; and creating a “paint bay” in the new maintenance hangar to accommodate airport users who need such a service. Always on the lookout for additional services for his airport users, Looke plans in conjunction with the local port, to arrange air freight for perishable goods, and looks forward to marketing the five acres of free trade zone now available at the airport. A recently approved new terminal will greatly improve facilities for local pilots and visitors, additionally it will also enhance his airport’s chances of gaining status as an international airport with customs services available.
Cynthia Godfrey, after 18 years as airport manager at Jackson County Airport in Michigan, came to Mesquite Metro Airport in August 1997. Godfrey was instrumental in initiating projects to refurbish hangar access taxiways at the airport. Through great effort, she secured Mobil Oil’s pipeline surveying, including the domiciling of their five-aircraft fleet at her airport. At every opportunity available, according to civic and aviation groups in the Metroplex, Godfrey speaks about airport issues and the importance of general aviation to communities. Plans are in the works for the creation of an airport master plan for her airport, perhaps a new terminal, and additional hangars to attract corporate traffic to the airport.
David Pearce became airport manager of McKinney Municipal Airport on October l, 1997. After a successful career in the military, 20 years in the Air Force, Pearce is well on his way to achieving the same level of success in airport management. In short time, he has initiated projects for a new terminal and a lighting system which will replace the existing runway lights and install taxiway lights. Other projects include securing a new electrical vault, airport signage, the reconstruction of the FBO apron and the constr.1ction of a new apron. Future plans for the airport include an expansion from a 366-acre to a 1000-acre airport with multiple runways and to attract more corporate and general aviation activity and, perhaps based aircraft.
Gary Hawkins came on board officially at Sugar Land’s Hull Field as the new airport manager on December 16, 1997. Hawkins comes from an insurance business background, service-oriented, and aptly qualified to deal with the public. By using his business expertise, Hawkins has successfully attracted BFI’s Flight Department as a corporate tenant. Additionally, he coordinated the construction of a fuel farm-storage facility on the airport; and was pivotal in the decision to relocate a road, thereby eliminating a serious conflict between aircraft and automobiles. Goals for the future are to purchase more land for airport protection from encroachment (by nearby land development), to fully develop the corporate hangar area, to provide commercial airline service and to be included in the federal control tower program.
We encourage you to visit these airports and their managers; they are just a few of aviation leaders promoting the growth and development of aviation in Texas.