Medford Airport Director Announces Retirement Plans

Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport Director Bern E. Case announced plans for retirement, setting the date of Jan. 1. Through his tenure, Case brought what was a tired old terminal and airport into the 21st century.

Shortly after joining the airport in January 1994 from Lubbock, Texas, Case began to embark on projects generating opportunities for positive economic impact and laying the foundation for anticipated growth. Within just a few short years of becoming airport director, the airport had a new name, was designated a Foreign Trade Zone and began increasing airport revenues. To-date, the airport has a longer runway, increased from two to nine destinations with five carriers, constructed a new terminal and tower, completed a new snow removal equipment and operations facility, consistently set record passenger numbers and utilized more than $104,609,877 in grant funding. This is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. With Case’s leadership during the past 24 years, the airport has definitely grown into one of the strongest regional airports in the country.

The aviation bug hit Case after leaving the mortuary business and joining the Salt Lake City Airport in 1978 as part of their operations team. He then transferred into the law enforcement division of the Salt Lake City Airport. By 1986, Case had worked his way up to manager of the operations division encompassing police, fire and safety, and was ready for a new challenge. Relocating to Saginaw, Michigan, Case stepped into his first role as airport director. After surviving three Michigan winters, he was ready for warmer climates and headed for Lubbock. Four years of Texas heat and a dister to manage a regional airport brought him to Medford in 1994.

Case’s vision and determination has had an immense impact on the southern Oregon region abnd has certainly paved the way for the Rouge Valley International-Medford Airport.