Newly revamped Airport Advisory Board meets

The newly reorganized Columbia Airport Advisory Board met Wednesday afternoon for the first time since the reorganization of the board.

The airport was formerly a division of Columbia Public Works but it became a function of economic development in October. City officials have said that the airport is an economic driver.

The move comes as airport and city officials develop a terminal expansion project, among other capital improvement plans.

Economic Development director Stacey Button has also been a catalyst behind the move. She was the director of Economic Vitality in Flagstaff, Arizona and the airport fell under her purview there.

“I think it’s a huge move in the right direction to promote the airport in the way that is important for the citizens of Columbia,” said Matt Jenne, one of the owners of Addison’s and representative of the Regional Economic Development Inc. “By putting us under economic development, especially under Stacey, it’s really allowing us to align with the right people who will get us in front of the right people in the airline industry to help those things come through.”

Jenne, a private pilate, said he’s always had an interest in flying and airports. He said he joined the board about 10 years ago because he felt like a robust airport was a way to bring more people into Columbia and wanted to have a voice in that.

He was the REDI representative on the board before the switch from public works to economic development and he said the move made sense with city leader’s new focus.

“I think public works just had a different focus,” he said. “They were more focused on the airport as an infrastructure piece.”

City officials called for more specialized members of the board last year. Originally, there were no specific member requirements.

“What this board does is it brings a number of stakeholders together that actually have an economic interest in making sure that our airport is operating at maximum capacity,” he said. “It brings in people who aren’t necessarily fans of the airport but are fans of making sure the airport operates properly.”

The new board is made up of nine voting members.

Five appointed by City Council represent different aspects of the community, including the hotel industry, the general aviation industry, an educational institution, a major Columbia employer and a citizen-at-large interested in aviation and travel.

There are also four city and county officials who are now members: Dan Atwill of the Boone County Commission, Jefferson City Council member Rick Mihalevich, one member from the Chamber of Commerce and Matt Jenne represents Regional Economic Development Inc. (REDI).

Members appointed a chair and vice chair of the board Wednesday. Brian Whorley, director of business development and planning at Boone Hospital Center, will serve as chair and Jenne as vice chair.

Members talked about some of their goals for the year, including moving forward on the terminal expansion plan.

Members said they are also concerned about the cancellations and delays that often happen at the last minute at the airport and so they want to focus on more reliable air service.

They said Wednesday they’ll want to compare COU with nationwide TSA services and they’re also going to make expanding flight options a priority.

The board plans to meet once a month.