[Press Release] : FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Columbia Regional Airport is excited to announce a new arrival!

[Press Releases]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Stacey Button, Director of Economic Development
(573) 441-5542


Columbia Regional Airport is excited to announce a new arrival!

COLUMBIA, MO (August 16, 2016) - The City of Columbia welcomes a new arrival to Columbia Regional Airport (COU). On Sept. 12, Tamara Pitts will begin her duties as COU’s new airport manager. Pitts is a native of Chicago, a graduate of Iowa State University with a degree in engineering and is currently a project engineer with the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) Aviation section.

“We are thrilled Tamara is joining our team at COU,” said City Manager Mike Matthes. “Tamara’s servant leadership style, her work at MoDOT in the aviation section and the relationships Tamara has developed with the FAA will help ensure the airport achieves our long term goals.”  


In her capacity at MoDOT in the aviation section, Pitts served as project coordinator for 40 airports in Missouri, coordinated project execution and compliance with the FAA, reviewed and approved federal grant applications for airports, and managed and delivered construction projects on budget.


"Tamara has exceptional capital project management and communication skills which will serve COU well as we negotiate additional air service and advance development of the new terminal," said Stacey Button, director of Economic Development.


Pitts will receive an annual salary of $67,500.


As the City welcomes Pitts to COU, we also recognize the service of Don Elliott who will retire as airport manager on Sept. 30. Elliott launched his career at COU in 1982 as a public safety officer and has served a number of roles at COU in his 34+ years of service. Elliott served as airport superintendent from 2009 to 2011 and as airport manager from 2011 to present. 


“Don has done a tremendous job in overseeing $20+ million of infrastructure improvements in the past five year and having almost $20 million worth of infrastructure improvements in the pipeline for the next five years”, said Dave Nichols, director of Public Works. “Don’s legacy at COU is actively implementing the 2009 Airport Master Plan. We wish Don the very best in his retirement.”


Pitts and Elliott will work together for about two weeks in September to ensure a smooth transition during these busy and exciting times at Columbia Regional Airport. During the 2017 budget cycle, City Manager Mike Matthes has proposed to City Council to realign the airport from Public Works to Economic Development to strengthen the airport’s position as an economic engine and tourism generator.



This release has the following attachments:

http://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/downloadfile.php?id=1333



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