Always an Exciting Adventure
AUTHORITY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Aviation is an exciting adventure which never seems to stop surprising me. Like many of the people who work at an airport, but do not actually fly the airplanes, I started my career hanging out at airports because of the excitement and love of flight. After more than thirty years of being behind the scenes making airports work, I am still constantly amazed by everything I see and of the people who make this amazing system work.
In September, the Tri-Cities Airport will be doing a lot to celebrate and to prepare to celebrate this amazing industry. This month marks the eighty-third anniversary of the Tri-Cities Airport and its service to our region. TRI has seen our community through World War II, the Cold War, several world economic crises, 9/11, and now the COVID-19 pandemic. Every single person who has worked at the airport, served on its boards, and been involved with the airport’s promotion and growth has been a vital part of our community and the success we’ve seen through all of these years.
This month the Airport will begin a partnership with the Hands On! Discovery Center that will celebrate and share the amazement of flight with everyone. Families will be able to go and learn about the magic of flight at this interactive exhibit. I am confident a new generation of people will learn to love aviation and that the love will continue with them for decades to come. I know I still get excited every time I look out the office window and see an airplane lifting off the ground.
To continue the amazing adventure of flight, the airport and Tri-City Aviation is hosting the Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum as they bring the B-17G Flying Fortress “Sentimental Journey” to the Tri-Cities, September 8-13. This will be a perfect time to come out or take a few moments from the normal course of the day and see some amazing aircraft that will quickly remind us why we fell in love with aviation in the first place.
There are very few careers where one can say they have been doing this for over thirty years and still find excitement almost every day. I know that this wonderful career would never have been possible without everyone working at the airport and making this always exciting adventure possible. I hope we can all take time this month to recall everything about aviation and the Tri-Cities Airport that has fueled your love of flight.