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| Nov. 29 / 04 |
Rideout new airport authority chairperson |
The Gander International Airport Authority (GIAA) is pleased to announce Donna Rideout is its new chairperson.
Ms. Rideout replaces the outgoing Terry Parsons, whose eight-year term concluded Nov. 26.
Born in Gander, Ms. Rideout is a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Financial Planner with Walters Hoffe. She previously served on a number of community-based, charitable and business boards, including the College of the North Atlantic, Chamber of Commerce, and Public Accounts Licensing Board. Most recently, she has taken up a volunteer role with the Victorian Order of Nurses.
"Management and staff of the airport are to be commended for the advances which have been made towards achieving financial stability at GIAA," Ms. Rideout said. "However, we have not reached a point where we can become complacent. We have to continue our efforts to attract new customers and revenue sources. The nature of our industry is such that it can change quickly with little or no warning, often due to circumstances beyond our control. I'm looking forward to working with our board and staff to ensure we continue in our development efforts. We need to maintain sharp commercial instincts and have an enterprising view of creating new revenue opportunities. My immediate goals are to provide support to staff and partners in their efforts to strengthen domestic service and to encourage the growth of stable, non-aviation related revenues."
Ms. Rideout also wants to continue efforts to foster a sense of regional ownership of the airport and engage the airport's stakeholders to help accelerate economic development in the region.
"We want to ensure people in New-Wes-Valley, Glovertown, Grand Falls-Windsor and all surrounding communities feel a level of ownership of the airport. It is not a 'Gander facility'. It belongs to the entire area, " she said. "The airport is a pivotal part of the region and we can use it positively to grow our economy. We are going to continue to work with the municipalities, development groups and the private sector to move toward a shared vision of growth in which we benefit from each other's strengths."
Mr. Parsons said he has mixed emotions about leaving the airport authority, but is pleased to have played a role in the airport's transfer and resurgence.
"I am humbled to have been part of a team with an agenda for progress that will position the airport and its surrounding communities well into the future. I can honestly say I've enjoyed my years with the board. I'd like to extend my thanks to the airport staff, my colleagues on the board, and the greater community for supporting me, and extend my very best to Donna and her incoming team," he said.
The Gander International Airport Authority also extends its gratitude and best wishes to members of its board of directors who completed their terms Nov. 26. The outgoing directors are Dr. Peter Blackie, Rex Freake, Clarice Goodyear, Bruce Sparkes and outgoing Chairperson Terry Parsons.
"I want to thank all of our outgoing directors for supporting me and giving the airport their time, energy and expertise," said GIAA President and CEO Gary Vey. "They have made an important contribution to Gander International Airport at a critical point in our history."
The Gander International Airport Authority is the not-for-profit organization created in 1996 to manage operations at Gander International Airport (CYQX). The airport plays a key role in the economic and community development of the Town of Gander and the Central Newfoundland region.
For further information, please contact:
Gary Vey, President and CEO
(709) 256-6668
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