ERIC FRANKL SELECTED AS INTERIM
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Statement of Chairman Bobby Owens

January 29, 2009 – The Airport Board knows there is much to do to restore integrity to the top management of this important institution. It will involve a number of steps and take many months before we accomplish that. Nothing will be more vital than the advice we receive, the implementation we oversee and the leadership we put in place.

We are extremely pleased with the advice and direction of our consulting firm Jacobs Consultancy and particularly the quick results Fred Testa has brought about. We have already begun implementing some of their recommendations.

In addition, we are today formally launching a world-wide search for our new executive director. It’s a process we plan to undertake with diligence, so we anticipate it will take between three to six months to complete.

Due to that timeframe, the board determined it is in the airport’s best interest to bring in an interim director to provide day-to-day management of the airport for however long the process takes. The work of Jacobs Consultancy will continue as planned—advising us and making organizational and financial management recommendations.

We are fortunate to have located a well-qualified individual willing to take on the interim role. Today the Airport Board unanimously approved the selection of Eric Frankl as interim executive director. Eric has a proven track record and I’m confident he will provide strong leadership in the transition. He fully understands that, while he is welcome to apply, we will select the best person for the executive director position, whoever that may be.

We’re pleased to bring you this good news, even as the investigation continues. We are focused on rebuilding the trust and confidence of our community, and we are moving promptly to bring in new leadership and strengthen our policies and internal controls.

We want to remind everyone of the hard work that has never stopped being performed by the many employees who provide safety, keep our facilities clean and in working order, oversee construction and, in many ways, make travelers’ days better. Blue Grass Airport is open for business, preparing for the future and we’re serving our community.

We’re doing more than providing top-notch air service. We’re creating jobs and opportunities for our community. The construction projects in our pipeline right now will create dozens of jobs and support our local economy.

I’m personally very grateful to so many people who have reached out to myself, the Board and the staff to offer support and good wishes. This airport has experienced difficult times and we’re becoming stronger for it.

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