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Issue link: http://airportbusiness.epubxp.com/i/422565
November 2014 airportbusiness 45 UNDER Eugene Conrad III: Chose aviation while growing up around EAA Eugene Conrad III was born in Oshkosh, Wis., and grew up around the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), as his father was the airport manager at Wittman Regional Airport from 1975- 1987. From early on he knew aviation would be part of his life. Conrad graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Aviation Management from Ohio State University and he is a certified member of the American Association of Airport Executives. His past experience includes: Air Service Coordinator and Marketing Manager at Dayton Interna- tional Airport and Wright Brothers Airport in Dayton, Ohio; and Airport Operations Coordinator at Port Columbus International Airport and Bolton Field in Columbus, Ohio. Prior to accepting the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport Director position, he was the Deputy Director, Marketing and Air Service Development for Bran- son Airport LLC. Conrad also serves as the Air Show Ground Opera- tions Chairman at the EAA AirVenture Convention at Oshkosh, Wis. Conrad is a graduate of Leadership Lakeland Class XXIX, Leadership Polk Class VII and is a board member of the following organizations; Sun 'n Fun, Central Florida Aerospace Academy Consortium, 2015 Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce and is Chair, CFASSP Statewide Steering Committee. DID YOU KNOW? CONRAD met his wife at the EAA Air Academy. DID YOU KNOW? ZAKLAN is a board member for Aviation in Action. Justin Zaklan: Started flying at age 12 Justin Zaklan remembers going out to a small uncontrolled airport north of town as a young- ster to watch an old skydiving DC-3 take off and land consistently with jumpers. He says he was always amazed at the power an aircraft had and the sleekness of the numerous designs manufactured in the world. Watching this aircraft take off and land, propelled him to take his first flying lesson at age 12. From that day on, Zaklan was at the controls of the aircraft, flying and being a part of the great aviation community. Zaklan obtained his pilot's license at 16 and began working at a small flight school/ FBO in the Customer Service Department. As he continued his growth in aviation, he realized he enjoyed meeting new faces every- day in the FBO world while having the opportunity to work alongside talented colleagues in the field. Being in the FBO sector of business aviation has allowed Zaklan an opportunity to expand on business practices while operating and managing one of the largest FBO facili- ties in the country for Signature Flight Support at Van Nuys Airport. Airport Director Lakeland Linder Regional Airport Years in Aviation: 14 General Manager Signature Flight Support Age: 27 Years in Aviation: 9