BLUE GRASS AIRPORT SELECTS ERIC FRANKL
AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Audio from Eric Frankl regarding the announcement

October 21, 2009 – Today, Eric J. Frankl, AAE, was selected by the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Airport Board as Executive Director for Blue Grass Airport.  In this role, Frankl is responsible for the overall business operations, air service development, safety and security, and planning and development of the airport.  He has served as Interim Executive Director at Blue Grass Airport since February 16, 2009. 

“The Airport Board has conducted a thorough search to find the best candidate to lead Blue Grass Airport,” said Bobby Owens, Chairman of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Airport Board.  “Eric has clearly demonstrated a commitment to our airport and community.  Throughout this transition period, he has focused on rebuilding the trust and confidence of our community, strengthening our policies and internal controls and overseeing more than $60 million of airport improvement projects.  The Board unanimously agrees that Eric has done an exceptional job and will continue to provide our community with a safe and efficient airport with high quality air service.”

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Airport Board conducted a nationwide, six-month search for its new executive director.  Guy Huguelet, president of the executive search firm G. Alexander and Associates and former board chairman of Commerce Lexington, partnered with the Airport Board to recruit top candidates and seek feedback from the community.  Huguelet held extensive interviews with more than 20 community leaders representing a wide variety of industries to determine characteristics they would like present in the airport’s new executive director.

“The community feedback we received was very positive. Everyone said we are lucky to have one of the best airports in the country,” said Guy Huguelet, President of G. Alexander and Associates.  “The community is seeking a leader with honesty and integrity, a strong track record in airport management and the ability to build collaborative partnerships that will enable our airport to be the best that it can be.  Eric Frankl certainly represents these leadership qualities.”

“I am grateful for this opportunity and look forward to working with the Board as we continue implementing change in preparing for the 2010 World Equestrian Games,” said Eric Frankl.  “I also want to recognize the staff who deserve a great deal of credit for all of their hard work.  Finally, I would like to thank my colleagues from around the country for the incredible support they provided our organization.  While the last eight months have been challenging, they have also been very rewarding.”

Prior to his appointment at Blue Grass Airport, Frankl served as Director of Airports for the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority.  Frankl had overall responsibility for the financial performance, operation and administration of both Toledo Express and Metcalf Field Airports in Ohio.  During his tenure, Frankl completed a master plan for Metcalf Field and a conceptual plan for industrial and air cargo development at Toledo Express Airport.  He also oversaw the completion of terminal improvements at Toledo Express along with a number of taxiway and ramp improvements at both airports.

In addition to his work for the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, Frankl previously served as Executive Director for the Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield, Illinois and Director of Operations at Fort Wayne International Airport in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Eric Frankl is a graduate of Bowling Green State University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Management.  In 1996, he received his professional accreditation from the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), and he served as President of the AAAE Great Lakes Chapter in 2004/2005.

Blue Grass Airport, the Official Airport of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, is served by seven major airlines providing convenient non-stop serve to 14 major hub cities and connecting service to hundreds of destinations worldwide. 

# # #