Gerald R. Ford International Airport

LEADERSHIP
Brian Picardat, A.A.E., finance director for GFIA, was presented with the Michigan Aeronautics Commission (MAC) 2010 Award of Excellence. Each year the MAC recognizes a worthy individual and a group for their positive contributions to aviation. Brian received the individual award. Brian also serves as immediate past president of the Michigan Association of Airport Executives (M.A.A.E.) and serves on its Finance and Administration Committee. Additionally, Brian serves on the American Association of Airport Executives (A.A.A.E.) Audit Committee.

Bruce Schedlbauer , APR, marketing and communications manager for GFIA, has been elected chairman of the West Michigan Tourist Association (WMTA) Board of Directors. WMTA is the oldest continually-operating regional tourist association in the U.S. With a current membership base of approximately 800 tourism-related business and organizations, WMTA is responsible for marketing the western half of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula as a tourism destination.

Marketing and Public Relations
Kent County Department of Aeronautics Marketing division was recently awarded 3rd place in the Airport's Council International - North America's 2009 Excellence in Marketing contest in the "Newsletters - External" category. You can read the most recent edition of Airport Connections from the website.

ENGINEERING & FACILITIES
Kent County Department of Aeronautics reconstruction of taxiway Z was selected the winner in the Airports category of the Michigan Concrete Association's Michigan Awards of Excellence for 2010.

Kent County Department of Aeronautics received the 2010 Award of Excellence for Parking Structure Construction from the Associated Builders and Contractors Western Michigan Chapter (ABC-WMi) at their 25th annual event.

FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) recognized the Department of Aeronautics for its annual financial report by awarding it the 16th consecutive Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. This award is presented to those government agencies whose financial reporting meets the high standards established by the GFOA.

OPERATIONS
In November 2010, the airport underwent its annual FAR Part 139 Airport Certification Inspection. This extensive inspection, performed by the Federal Aviation Administration is a requirement for all commercial airport operators, and focuses heavily on Airport Operations, Maintenance, and Fire Rescue. The inspectors examine everything from airfield conditions to training, response times of the fire rescue team to maintenance standards. GFIA received “zero discrepancies” – that is, there were no issues that required corrective action.