Airport Manager Receives Award on Eve of Retirment

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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ >r~ October 9, 006 CONTACT. Bob Noble, Airport Manager, 541-682-8352 From Publi Information Section, 682-5523 or 954-2938 FOR IMME IATE RELEASE Airport Manager Receives Award on Eve of Retirement In r cognition of his accomplishments and exemplary leadership, the manager of the Eugene Air ort, Bob Noble, has been named Airport Executive of the Year by the Northwest Chapter of he American Association of Airport Executives (NWAAAE). The group, a professional organization with more than 200 members from seven Northwest tates, presented the award to Noble last week in Colorado. The award recognizes Noble's ov rsight of extensive airfield improvements including the construction of a new runway, improveme is to air service, strong fiscal management, and maintenance of one of the best airports of i s size. Also mentioned was Noble's long tenure with the City of Eugene and his energetic, ositive and optimistic management style. The award is the highest form of recognition issued fro the organization each year. In p esenting the award, Jackson County (Medford) Airport Director Bern Case, president of NWAAA ,said, "Bob Noble is a professional who extends himself to others. He does not dwell in the nega ive, but finds a way to remain positive." No le has announced his plans to retire from the City of Eugene in January 2007, after serving mo a than 30 years with the organization. Noble held a variety of positions with the Public Works Dep rtment during that period, but had been with the Airport Division since 1994 and served as irport manager since May 2000. The City of Eugene currently is conducting a nationwide earch to find a new airport manager No le says he has had the benefit of good mentors and dedicated staff. "I have been very fortunate t have learned about aviation, transportation, business, government and leadership from extra rdinary individuals who demonstrate that hard work can create desirable results,° he said. It ha been a pleasure to work with airport staff who are passionate about aviation and interested i the success of the airport." Regarding his contribution, Noble said, "I can only hope I will leave t e airport a little better than when I started." Re arding future plans, Noble said he wants to pursue travel and recreation, but wants to keep the d or open for new endeavors. "I am exploring a number of business opportunities, and I also have n interest in continuing my formal education," he said. Eu ene Public Works Director Kurt Corey credited Noble for a number of important changes a d improvements at the airport under Noble's watch, including the installation of sophisticat d navigational aids for use during inclement weather, safety improvements for pilots and improv d reliability for passengers, the adoption of a Master Plan for the Airport, the developme t of general aviation facilities with minimum standards for hangars, the expansion of air cargo fa ilities and the introduction of refrigeration for shippers, the construction of a new maintenan a facility with new tools and equipment, efficiency and safety improvements for employees renovation of the restaurants and gift shops at the airport, and improvements to customers rvice and ground transportation services including standards for taxis and the introductio of the airport door-to-door shuttle service. "Bo Noble has done a great job positioning the Eugene Airport for the future, which will allow fora month transition for a new manager," Corey said. The City of Eugene is conducting a nationwide search to find a new airport manager. Eugene Public Works • www.eugene-or.gov/pw 858 Pearl S reet, Eugene, Oregon 97501 • 541-682-5523 • fax 541-682-6826 • e-mail pwadmin@ci.eugene.or.us