Georgia Airports Association Webinar Series 2023 -

Session 3

Tuesday May 16, 2023 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Gaining Approval for Non-Aeronautical Events at Your Airport

SeSSION 3 ZOOM LINK

Download Session Resources:

2022 GDOT non-aero package.pdf

2023 FAA - GDOT Package for SSI RSM Event.pdf

GAA Webinar Non-Aero Event Final 5-15-23 (1).pptx

 Speakers: 

Steve Brian C.M. - Manager, Aviation Programs GDOT

Steve BrianSTEVE BRIAN is the Aviation Program Manager for the Georgia Department of Transportation which administers the FAA Block Grant Program and the State Aviation Grant Program. Prior to joining the Department, Steve was the Airport Director in College Station, TX and Brunswick, GA (managing the Brunswick Golden Isles and the McKinnon St. Simons Island Airports).  He has 40 years of experience in the aviation industry managing airports in the communities of Birmingham, AL, Binghamton, NY, and Kinston, NC.  He also served in Washington, DC with the Airport Council International (ACI) working on issues affecting small airports, air service, and international route development.

Steve is a graduate of Auburn University, a certified member of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) and holds a private pilot certificate.

Terra Winslett C.M. - Airport Property and Marketing Manager, Glynn County Airport Commission 

 Terra WinslettTerra Winslett is the Airport Property and Marketing Manager for the Glynn County Airport Commission managing property for the Brunswick Golden Isles Airport and the St. Simons Island Airport.  She has 20+ years of experience in office administration ranging from Airport to Real Estate and Construction.  She is a Georgia licensed Real Estate Broker, board member of the Georgia Airports Association and achieved her Certified Member (C.M.) designation from the American Association of Airport Executives in 2016.  She is a member of SEC AAAE and serves on the conference committee.

Billy Ragan - Airport Manager, Vidalia Regional Airport (VDI)

Billy Ragan

Billy Ragan is the Airport Manager of the Vidalia Regional Airport. Billy joined the airport in August 2010, as a Line Service Attendant, and was promoted to Line Service Supervisor in 2019. He has demonstrated proven leadership in ensuring the building maintenance, wildlife and grounds upkeep of the airport is maintained in optimal condition. In his role as Airport Manager, he enjoys interacting with the airport’s customers and constituents. In his free time, he maintains an active private pilot’s license, flying single engine aircraft such as the Piper Cherokee Warrior and Cessna 172. His current flying record is 700 hours.   

 

REGISTER FOR SESSION 3 HERE

 

 


Session 2

Tuesday April 25, 2023 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Exploring the importance of the relationship between the governing body/chamber and an airport 

REGISTER FOR SESSION 2 HERE

 Speakers: 

Jim Wolfgang - Chairman Airport Advisory Committee, Baldwin County Regional Airport

Jim WolfgangJim Wolfgang moved to Milledgeville from Western NY in 1980 to teach at Georgia College for 1 year. Thirty seven years later he retired from the college. During that time he started his aviation career receiving his PPL in 1983. In 1985 he and his partner, Jeff Baum of Wisconsin Aviation, operated Baldwin County’s FBO, Air Sinclair, until 1997.  Jim has been chair of the Baldwin County Regional Airport Advisory Committee since its creation in 2012.  In addition, he serves as a volunteer aviation consultant for the county commissioners. He lives on a farm in the country with his wife Maryllis and their horses. 

Kim Tharp - Executive Assistant to Mayor B. H. “Skip” Henderson III of the Columbus Consolidated Government

Kim Tharp

After twenty years in the chamber of commerce industry, Kim retired as President & CEO of the Harris County Chamber of Commerce in May of 2022.  After six months of retirement (and several trips to the beach), she began working for Columbus Mayor Skip Henderson as his Executive Assistant.  During her time at the Harris County Chamber of Commerce, she served on the Harris County Airport Commission as well as the Regional Airport Board for the Columbus Airport. 

Kim fully understands the importance of an airport to a community from an economic development perspective as well as an economic opportunity for tourism.  During her career, Kim discovered tourism as both influencer and tourist.  She is a firm believer in being a “tourist in your own hometown.”  Kim developed the brand Explore Harris County and was a key planner in the annual Airport Open House at the Harris County Airport.  Her service on the Regional Airport Board brought a regional perspective, and her partnership with the Columbus Airport offered the ability to share ideas and resources regionally. 

Kim has two children and is recently engaged.  She lives in Columbus with her daughter; her fiancé, Michael; Lucy, her 13-year-old Shi Tzu; and the most handsome Irish cat, Finnegan.   v

SESSION ZOOM LINK 
Register for Session 2

 

  


 

Georgia Airports Association Webinar Series 2023 - Session 1

Tuesday March 28, 2023 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

ADSB Operations Tracking at Your Airport

ADSB tracking  

Speakers Les Goldsmith, Virtower and Dwight Albritton - Airport Manager KCZL

Les GoldsmithLes Goldsmith is an Australian Army Veteran, Rotary Wing Pilot and President of Virtower. Les has spent the last 16 years developing sensor systems for detection of nation state electronic surveillance targeting US critical infrastructure and personnel. Les is a contracted subject matter expert on cellular network vulnerabilities to the US Department of Homeland Security, conducting investigations into new cellular network threats impacting 2G, 3G, LTE and 5G networks. In 2019 the newly established Virtower began research into the current aircraft tracking solutions and their limitations. Launching in October 2020 Virtower now has over 200 Airports using the system to track operations, pavement usage and investigate noise complaints. In early 2022 Virtower was selected to provide tracking of interagency government air assets for deconfliction and coordination with drone operations in congested airspace.

Dwight Albritton

Dwight Albritton is the Airport Manager for Tom B. David Airport in Calhoun - Gordon County Georgia. Dwight became the Airport Manager in 2002. He is an instrument rated commercial single and multi-engine pilot , commercial UAS pilot, and avid (highly addicted) radio controlled aircraft builder and pilot. He is a proud husband and father of two beautiful daughters since 1994.