Rogers receives Distinguished Service Award
(March 28, 2012) - Salina Airport Authority Executive Director Tim Rogers, A.A.E. was honored Monday when he was presented with the American Association of Airport Executives Distinguished Service Award at the AAAE annualSouth Central Conference in Wichita.
The Distinguished Service Award is one of AAAE's highest levels of recognition. Men and women receive this award as a reflection of outstanding accomplishments in their professional and personal lives. Respected leaders of their own communities, these men and women also contribute to other aviation organizations, serve AAAE and its chapters and participate in civic and community affairs. DSA winners exemplify the best in airport management by continually bringing credit to the profession and the aviation community. All DSA winners are accredited airport executives and exemplify the standards accreditation seeks to inspire, according to the AAAE website.
"I'm overwhelmed," said Rogers. "It's a wonderful recognition by the AAAE for contributions to the airport industry and the Salina Community."
Some the many significant contributions Rogers was recognized for include; the establishment of the AAAE U.S. Contract Tower Association and the development of a multi-year, multi-modal comprehensive transportation plan for the State of Kansas.
Since 2008, he has been a member of the Kansas Governor's Military Affairs Council. His commitment and leadership has led to growth of military training activity at the Salina Airport and Airport Industrial Center. This growth and development has resulted in the establishment of the Great Plains Joint Training Center, which has quickly become the premier location for joint force training for military units.
In March 2010, Tim was awarded the first-ever Kansas National Guard Patriot Medal "for providing immeasurable support to the Great Plains Joint Training Center and Kansas National Guard."
Rogers' leadership resulted in the City of Salina economic development grant awards to Kansas State University at Salina for the establishment of the K-State Salina UAS Program Office. The local grants have enabled K-State to secure more than $4 million in additional UAS research and development grants and contracts.
"This DSA helps me reflect on my mentors over the years and that professional association participation and community service are a significant part of an airport executive's job," he said.
What was instilled in Rogers by his mentors as an up and coming airport executive, he continues to pass on through the airport management internship program at the Airport Authority.
"We've had the good fortune to meet some
young individuals that are up and coming," he said of the program. "And these individuals are the airport executives of the future. Here with us today is Sean McIntire. He is a graduate of K-State and a former intern of ours. Today I am honored to present him with his AAAE Certified Member pin."
Having completed the Airport Management program at K-State Salina and an airport management internship at the Salina Airport Authority, McIntire found his calling at the Wichita Airport Authority as their airport operations officer.
"I feel extremely privileged to have Tim as a mentor," said Sean McIntire, C.M. "He introduced me to the AAAE and I would not be a certified member without the guidance from him and his staff."
