Airport Business

NOV 2014

The airport professional's source for airport industry news, articles, events, and careers.

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40 airportbusiness November 2014 UNDER Frank McIllwain: From pilot to project manager Frank McIllwain recalls a family friend flying his family to visit his grandparents when he was a child. The pilot's understanding of the gauges and buttons in the cockpit amazed McIllwain in a way he's never forgotten. That feeling led him to apply his civil en- gineering degree to the aviation industry where he now serves as a Vice President and Texas Aviation Director at Garver. McIllwain's 16 years of airport design and construction management experience includes $160 million in airport improvement projects at more than 60 airports in the south-central United States. As a licensed instrument-rated pilot, McIllwain brings the user's perspective in his airport design and construction projects. Clients who work with him often cite his emphasis on quality control and communication with stakeholders when discussing why they choose McIllwain for their projects. The variety of experience designing and managing projects McIllwain has worked on includes runway/taxiway rehabili- tations, runway/taxiway extensions, apron reconstructions, drainage improvements, airfield light- ing and signage projects, pavement marking, navigational aids, utility relocations, multi-agency review and coordination, and capital improvement plan implementation. DID YOU KNOW? MCILLWAIN coaches his daughter's softball team. DID YOU KNOW? FREESE competes in adventure races. Sara Freese: Always knew aviation was for her Sara Freese says she always knew she'd do something in aviation. She soloed at age 16, and got her pilot's license while still in high school. Today, Freese is the Director of Aviation at the Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport, a position she's held since January 2013. In this role, she is responsible for the overall operation of the airport. The airport operation includes being the landlord to several tenants and activi- ties including, commercial air service, rental car companies, aircraft fueling and maintenance operations. Major tenants at the airport include Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, American Eagle, Leading Edge and Bell Helicopter. Her other major responsibilities include long range planning, air service development and budgeting. Freese holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Management and a Master of Science degree in Aviation Safety from Central Missouri State University and an MBA from Upper Iowa University. She recently started working on her Project Manager Professional certification. Vice President Texas Aviation Director, Garver Age: 39 Years in Aviation: 16 Director of Aviation Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport Age: 35 Years in Aviation: 20

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