New officers for NASAO

Members of the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) have elected Carol L. Comer, Director, Division of Intermodal, Georgia Department of Transportation, as Chair of the Board of Directors for 2015. Comer has been a member of NASAO since February 2008 and previously served as NASAO’s vice chairman, treasurer and secretary of the board.

“I am grateful to be given the opportunity to lead such a distinguished group of aviation professionals,” said Comer. “It is an honor to be elected as chairman of an outstanding organization that has successfully represented state government aviation agencies for nearly 83 years.”

Comer, who accepted the gavel during NASAO’s 83rd Annual Convention and Trade Show, held recently in Providence, Rhode Island, has also served on the NASAO Center for Aviation Research and Education Board of Directors, Finance Committee, AASHTO/NASAO Standing Committee on Aviation, FAA/NASAO Intergovernmental Oversight Committee, Block Grant Committee, the Engineering and Planning Task Group and as a Regional Director.

Gary Cathy, Division Chief of the Division of Aeronautics, California Department of Transportation, was elected Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors. Cathy has been a member of NASAO for five years and has served as Secretary and Treasurer on the Board of Directors. In addition to the Executive Committee, Cathy has served on the Center Board of Directors, AASHTO/NASAO Standing Committee on Aviation, FAA/NASAO Intergovernmental Oversight Committee, Air Space Committee, Land Use Committee, Wildlife Committee and as a Regional Director.

Brad Brandt, Director for the Aviation Section, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, a member of NASAO since November 2009, was elected Treasurer of the Board of Directors. Brandt has been an active member of the Center Board of Directors, Engineering and Planning Task Group, Events Task Group and served as a Regional Director.

Ronnie Mitchell, Director of the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics, was elected Secretary of the Board of Directors and has been a member of NASAO since August 2009. Mitchell serves on the Land Use Committee and has been a Regional Director.

As immediate past chairman, Christopher J. Willenborg, Administrator, Aeronautics Division, Massachusetts Department of Transportation, continues to serve on the NASAO Executive Committee. A member of NASAO since November 2009, Willenborg has held all of the offices of the board.

Members elected to serve as Regional Directors for 2014/15 include Mike Pape, Idaho, representing the Northwest Mountain Region, David M. Greene, Wisconsin, Great Lakes Region, Amy Ludwig, Missouri, Central Region, Ashish Solanki, Maryland, Eastern Region, Kelly Fredericks, Rhode Island, New England Region, Mike Klein, Arizona, Western-Pacific Region, Steve Summers, New Mexico, Southwest Region and Winn Turney, Kentucky, will represent the Southern Region. The board members each serve a one year term from October 1, 2014 through September 30, 2015.