A name with family ties to Clinton County and to the entire state of Indiana, is the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Frankfort Airport.
Jet Access President Quinn Ricker became the new CEO of the company which houses the Frankfort/Clinton County Airport Authority Board, Tuesday evening at the Frankfort Airport with plans to establish new national headquarters in Indianapolis.
The Airport Authority Board approved the Letter of Consent Tuesday.
Eagle Creek CEO Matt Hagans says they are trying to get the deal done by December 17, acquired the Frankfort Airport from Montgomery Aviation in October 2015.
Ricker, who also gained a name by having Ricker Oil join forces with several convenient stores in the state before taking off in aviation, says his grandparents live north of Michigantown and he spent time growing up in Russiaville.
“I mowed a lot of side ditches in Clinton County,” said Ricker. “It’s some of the best memories of my life.”
Ricker said he is very impressed by what he sees here in Frankfort.
“We deal with a number of community airports, airfields like this and I am exceptionally impressed with the commitment that this community has had,” said Ricker. “What I’ve seen out of the (Frankfort/Clinton County) Airport Authority Board, is that the facilities, the experience is world class when it comes to a community airfield like this. Extremely impressive.”
Ricker added he doesn’t think there will be any operational changes within the airport.
“Our plan is, as much as we can, is to bring more of our services, our programs to this area now that we are one large united family,” said Ricker.
Hagans added the Frankfort Airport will be in good hands.
“We’ve had a significant presence at the community airports and Quinn’s had Shelbyville, Columbus and Mattoon, Illinois,” said Hagans. “I can assure that our commitment to this area, this airport, this board, who supported me over the years since I’ve been here, it won’t change.”
Frankfort/Clinton County Airport Authority Board President Alan Dunn agreed.
“We’re not changing anything,” said Dunn. “We’re going to have the same people that have always worked here. As a matter of fact, the name of the company doesn’t really change. It’s got new ownership. We’re excited about this from what we’ve learned so far.”
One thing the board did do Tuesday night was approving a piece of software called a “VIR” or virtual tower which will enable the airport to be more protected.
“It’s essentially as though the Frankfort Airport has a control tower,” said Dunn. “It allows us to monitor and it gives us a new management tool to track the activity of the airport that I think will really be important over time.”