NEW HAMPSHIRE – Laconia Municipal Airport Manager Diane Cooper-Terrill was recently elected president of the Granite State Airport Management Association (GSAMA), becoming the first woman to serve in that office.
A long-time member of GSAMA, she has previously served as both secretary and treasurer of that organization.
GSAMA is an organization of aviation professionals committed to increasing awareness of the importance of aviation and to supporting economic development for the State of New Hampshire. GSAMA serves New Hampshire’s aviation needs by enhancing access to the National Airspace System, promoting a support network for all airports in the state, and promoting legislation in support of aviation interests.
Terrill’s aviation management career began at the Laconia Airport in 1990 when she was hired to work with then-Airport Manager Don Sibson as a part-time administrative assistant and bookkeeper. In 1996, she moved into the newly-created position of assistant airport manager under Airport Manager Judd Raymond.
Three years later when she was named Laconia Airport manager, she became the only woman airport manager in the state. She had a clear vision of the potential of the airport as an economic supporter of the region and developing this potential became her mission and her focus.
Two months later the airport reentered the FAA grant program after a 10-year hiatus, and a surge of corporate aviation development at the Laconia Airport began. Over $15.5 million in airport infrastructure improvements were completed through the end of 2012.
She was recognized in 2007 by the FAA for her “bold and courageous actions”. Those actions resulted in the airport receiving the largest single grant ever awarded to a general aviation airport in NH. The grant totaled $8 million.
As president of GSAMA Terrill said she plans to move forward with the mission of the organization, making it even more of a conduit for not only all the aviation-related businesses and organizations located throughout the state but for the general public as well. Also on the top of her list of goals is to assist each aviation organization focus on what it does best, which will improve the state’s aviation system.
For more information: LaconiaAirport.com
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