Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport Director Tristan Durbin has added to his leadership responsibilities.
Durbin was elected president of the Kentucky Aviation Association (KAA) last week.
KAA works to promote and create the best opportunities for general aviation airports in the commonwealth, among leading other initiatives.
“(KAA) works closely with state-elected officials as well as other organizations related to aviation across the state,” Durbin said. “It’s done through education, training and funding to help the airports receive more state funding, as well as promoting education opportunities.
“Since COVID, (KAA) suffered some setbacks, and a big part of that is starting to build back the association to be more financially sound and strong and to create more of a presence at the state level, to continue to be front of mind whenever the state legislators have questions regarding aviation, and to really support the Kentucky Department of Aviation and the other airports.”
Durbin got involved with KAA two years ago when it held its annual convention in Owensboro. He was asked to be part of a committee for the conference, which led to him being asked to join the board.
A fellow board member nominated him to be president.
“One of the main missions of the (KAA) board currently is to create a program that allows for additional funding at the state level annually for airports across the state,” Durbin said. “We think there are a few opportunities, and we need to make a good business case to present to the state legislators.”
Doug Hoyt, chairman of the Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport board, is excited about Durbin giving OWB a more prominent seat at the state table.
“Tristan is a young, creative, energetic guy, so from my perspective, I’m excited he’s doing it,” he said. “From his perspective, he’s seeing how much work it’s going to be because of his need for accuracy, dedication and commitment, because he doesn’t do something unless he’s going to do something all the way. So it’s a double-edged sword, and I see that. But as chairman of (the airport) board, I’m sitting here cheering him on, and I’ll do everything I can to help.
“I think (the president position) is what you put into it. You can keep the seat warm if that’s all you want to do. But I get real excited because I know Tristan, and I know his energy and his creativity and his thought process. To have him in that role excites me because it gives me some real hope that OWB is going to have some real influence and opportunity to shape what aviation might look like and for us to grow.”
Hoyt said Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport often gets overlooked when people talk about Kentucky aviation, with the northern Kentucky-Cincinnati airport being an airline carrier hub and Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport having United Parcel Service’s worldwide air hub. Lexington’s Blue Grass Airport is also often grouped with the bigger airports.
“There is a lot more to aviation in Kentucky than those three airports, and there is a lot more regarding aviation than just passenger service out of Owensboro and Paducah,” Hoyt said. “There is a lot happening at these general aviation airports, and it’s not well known. And legislators change, so it’s a continual process of educating folks about what does aviation do for the state of Kentucky.”
While working with the state legislature is a big part of Durbin’s new position, Hoyt sees it as being more of an advocate for the aviation industry than a lobbyist.
“Ultimately, are you trying to get some money? Sure you are,” Hoyt said. “You’re trying to get sustainable funding. But in the end, you’re trying to advocate for who are we, what do we do, why are we here.
“Lobbying to me means money. Advocacy means support, which includes money. Advocacy is huge at this point.”
Hoyt said Durbin will excel in the role because of his grasp of legislative issues facing the industry, and his willingness to stay on top of all actions.
“There was potential federal legislation that has been introduced but not acted upon, and Tristan was among the first to catch and read and see and bring it to the attention of people all across the state, where then proper action could be taken statewide — whether to support or not to support that particular piece of legislation,” Hoyt said. “It’s those kinds of things that make people go, ‘Oh, that’s a sharp young man.’ ”
___
Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport Director Tristan Durbin has added to his leadership responsibilities.
Durbin was elected president of the Kentucky Aviation Association (KAA) last week.
KAA works to promote and create the best opportunities for general aviation airports in the commonwealth, among leading other initiatives.
“(KAA) works closely with state-elected officials as well as other organizations related to aviation across the state,” Durbin said. “It’s done through education, training and funding to help the airports receive more state funding, as well as promoting education opportunities.
“Since COVID, (KAA) suffered some setbacks, and a big part of that is starting to build back the association to be more financially sound and strong and to create more of a presence at the state level, to continue to be front of mind whenever the state legislators have questions regarding aviation, and to really support the Kentucky Department of Aviation and the other airports.”
Durbin got involved with KAA two years ago when it held its annual convention in Owensboro. He was asked to be part of a committee for the conference, which led to him being asked to join the board.
A fellow board member nominated him to be president.
“One of the main missions of the (KAA) board currently is to create a program that allows for additional funding at the state level annually for airports across the state,” Durbin said. “We think there are a few opportunities, and we need to make a good business case to present to the state legislators.”
Doug Hoyt, chairman of the Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport board, is excited about Durbin giving OWB a more prominent seat at the state table.
“Tristan is a young, creative, energetic guy, so from my perspective, I’m excited he’s doing it,” he said. “From his perspective, he’s seeing how much work it’s going to be because of his need for accuracy, dedication and commitment, because he doesn’t do something unless he’s going to do something all the way. So it’s a double-edged sword, and I see that. But as chairman of (the airport) board, I’m sitting here cheering him on, and I’ll do everything I can to help.
“I think (the president position) is what you put into it. You can keep the seat warm if that’s all you want to do. But I get real excited because I know Tristan, and I know his energy and his creativity and his thought process. To have him in that role excites me because it gives me some real hope that OWB is going to have some real influence and opportunity to shape what aviation might look like and for us to grow.”
Hoyt said Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport often gets overlooked when people talk about Kentucky aviation, with the northern Kentucky-Cincinnati airport being an airline carrier hub and Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport having United Parcel Service’s worldwide air hub. Lexington’s Blue Grass Airport is also often grouped with the bigger airports.
“There is a lot more to aviation in Kentucky than those three airports, and there is a lot more regarding aviation than just passenger service out of Owensboro and Paducah,” Hoyt said. “There is a lot happening at these general aviation airports, and it’s not well known. And legislators change, so it’s a continual process of educating folks about what does aviation do for the state of Kentucky.”
While working with the state legislature is a big part of Durbin’s new position, Hoyt sees it as being more of an advocate for the aviation industry than a lobbyist.
“Ultimately, are you trying to get some money? Sure you are,” Hoyt said. “You’re trying to get sustainable funding. But in the end, you’re trying to advocate for who are we, what do we do, why are we here.
“Lobbying to me means money. Advocacy means support, which includes money. Advocacy is huge at this point.”
Hoyt said Durbin will excel in the role because of his grasp of legislative issues facing the industry, and his willingness to stay on top of all actions.
“There was potential federal legislation that has been introduced but not acted upon, and Tristan was among the first to catch and read and see and bring it to the attention of people all across the state, where then proper action could be taken statewide — whether to support or not to support that particular piece of legislation,” Hoyt said. “It’s those kinds of things that make people go, ‘Oh, that’s a sharp young man.’ ”
___
(c)2024 the Messenger-Inquirer (Owensboro, Ky.)
Visit the Messenger-Inquirer (Owensboro, Ky.) at www.messenger-inquirer.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
(c)2024 the Messenger-Inquirer (Owensboro, Ky.)
Visit the Messenger-Inquirer (Owensboro, Ky.) at www.messenger-inquirer.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
