OAOA Names Okmulgee Regional Airport Airport of the Year
The Oklahoma Airport Operators Association (OAOA) announced at their annual awards banquet May 1 the selection of Okmulgee Regional Airport (OKM) as the Airport of the Year award recipient. The Association also named OKM Superintendent, Gary Utley, as Airport Manager of the Year.
Accomplishments contributing to their selection include:
- The development of an Industrial Development Plan and corresponding five-year Capital Improvement Program that includes planning for taxilane expansion to support additional hangar development.
- The adoption of a new leasing policy with site development standards and a review of leasing rates to adjust to fair market value.
- The scheduled publishing of a GPS approach on Runway 36.
- Updated branding assets, including a new logo and promotional materials highlighting available property and services
- A successful community event – the Okmulgee Airfest – that brought over 3,000 people to the airport and grew awareness of the airport throughout the region.
OAOA President Eric Winn, who presented the awards to Utley, said, “Okmulgee has made great strides over the past several years. Their focus on fostering development activity and promoting aviation was key to our selection of Okmulgee Regional Airport and Gary for these honors.”
Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust (TAIT) was contracted by the city of Okmulgee and the Okmulgee Airport Advisory Board in the Spring of 2015, to provide planning and management services for the Airport. TAIT CEO, Mark VanLoh, expressed his congratulations to Utley and the OKM team. VanLoh said, “Gary’s leadership has been instrumental in the operation of the Airport and the flow of information between our organizations and the Okmulgee community. We congratulate Gary on this prestigious award and look forward to continuing our work to develop Okmulgee Regional Airport to its full potential.”
Okmulgee Regional Airport is home to 22 private hangars, two corporate hangars, and a shared-use common hangar. According to the 2017 Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission Economic Impact Study, OKM generates employment for a total of 166 area residents and creates an annual economic impact exceeding $15.9 million for the State of Oklahoma.
