Ohio Aviation Association Honors Award Winners and Welcomes New Board Members

Stacey Heaton
Ohio Aviation Association

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Aviation Association (OAA) is proud to continue the tradition of honoring those individuals or entities that go above and beyond for airports and aviation in Ohio. At the OAA’s 2021 Annual Conference, held virtually this week, select awards were presented and new board members were welcomed as well.

2021 Airport Business of the Year: This award recognizes a business with a mission, services, and goals that result in a positive impact on a community, workforce, and local airport. This year’s award recipient has helped propel Ohio’s aviation and airport industry forward by performing its core mission and operations exceedingly well. Ohio Aviation Association is pleased to announce LGSTX Services. Inc. as the recipient of the 2021 Airport Business of the Year Award.

LGSTX Services is the contracted operator of Wilmington Air Park (KILN) on behalf of the Clinton County Port Authority. Wilmington Air Park is a center of economic development for the region and currently the highest-volume freight airport in Ohio. With an airport that has nearly 2,000 acres, two runways that can land nearly anything that flies, plus nearly 2.8 million square feet of facility space on the property, it takes a special company to keep the operations going day and night. They have played an instrumental role in the efforts to secure the return of air cargo operations to KILN and they serve as a great partner in the planning and continued development at the airport. A team of 30 talented and devoted workers focus exclusively on supporting KILN every day and their hard work shows.

“LGSTX’s expertise and commitment to aviation, air cargo operations, and Ohio, is clear every day,” said Stacey Heaton, Executive Director of the Ohio Aviation Association. “Ohio’s proximity to the US population provides a great opportunity for aviation and freight logistics and we are lucky to have LGSTX Services here to help.”

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2021 Airport of the Year: This year’s award recognizes an airport for its extraordinary accomplishments in moving its airport program forward and promoting aviation while serving as an integral part of Ohio’s transportation system during the COVID pandemic. This airport stayed true to its mission and delivered for its community and beyond and the Ohio Aviation Association is happy to award the very deserving honor to Rickenbacker International Airport (KLCK)!

The last 18 months have proven challenging to all. As many individuals faced unprecedented losses and challenges, this year’s Airport of the Year played an important part in helping fellow Ohioans and beyond. LCK served as one of the first Federal Emergency Management Agency designated airports for Personal Protective Equipment distribution nationwide, accommodated the unique passenger-freighter converted flights, and broke international cargo records multiple times all while improving ground handling efficiencies from 5-hours to under 3-hours.  Through it all, the airport sponsor, the Columbus Regional Airport Authority, kept working to invest and improve their airfield and facility capabilities to better serve the communities of Ohio.

“Rickenbacker International Airport is a key asset in southern Franklin County. The facilities they have on-site, plus the facilities immediately adjacent to it, make it a star in the multimodal world,” said Heaton. “But this award looks beyond their day-to-day and wants to give additional credit where it is due: for their integral part of getting Ohio back on its feet during COVID.”

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2021 Legislator of the Year: This award recognizes a state legislator for continued support and leadership in advancing policies and the vision of Ohio’s airports and aviation. Ohio’s airports are economic engines for their communities, and beyond, and it takes keen legislators to appreciate and use these assets to propel Ohio. The 2021 Legislator of the Year is awarded to Representative Adam Holmes (R- District 97).

Representative Holmes helps create and support policy to protect, encourage, and grow the airport and aviation sectors which serves both public and private needs. He continues to reach out to the Ohio Aviation Association to understand our member’s challenges. He has participated in his local airport’s long-term planning process and has a great appreciation of the assets available to Ohioans. Additionally, Representative Holmes continues to lead the Ohio Aerospace and Aviation Technology Committee (OAATC) and is poised to continue to bring attention to the industry.

“Representative Holmes understands the needs of aviation infrastructure and good policy in the State. He is a strong supporter of solid policy to protect and enhance this industry,” said Heaton. “With his understanding of aviation, passion, and energy, he is well-deserving of this year’s award.”

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OAA Welcomes New Board Members:  The OAA is pleased to have the talents of several new individuals join the Board of Directors. Jill Geboy of Woolpert, Jeff Bonecutter of Passero and Associates, Sara Junk of the Pike County Airport Board, and Sarah Spees of the City of Dayton Department of Aviation were selected from a pool of applicants during a recent call for open nominations.  The combination of consulting expertise as well as commercial and general aviation airport individuals allows OAA to best represent their members of many sectors of aviation.

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About the Ohio Aviation Association
Founded in 1965, the Ohio Aviation Association is a non-profit corporation committed to airport development and safety in Ohio. The OAA is the voice for the airports that contribute to the economic vibrancy and well-being of Ohio, the birthplace of aviation.  OAA membership is made up of nearly 700 individuals from over 75 airports and educational institutions and over 35 aviation-related companies. For additional information, please refer to www.ohioaviation.org, or connect with the Ohio Aviation Association on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to stay up-to-date on the organization.