Highlights from recent WAYPOINTS.
For the full version of the January 19, 2026 edition, click here.
NOMINATIONS FOR WAMA AWARDS NOW OPEN
The WAMA Conference will be here before you know it, and it's time to start thinking about awards. The categories are:
Washington State Project of the Year
Eligibility: Any WAMA member or team or Washington Airport
Criteria/Examples: A completed, implemented project
- Significant construction of airport facilities
- Completed real estate acquisition for a defined purpose
Airport Manager of the Year
Eligibility: Any Management Member
Criteria:
- A specific accomplishment or environment that fosters the WAMA mission
- A single individual, with team recognition if appropriate
Please send award nominations to the Human Resources Committee Chairman, Mark Leutwiler at leutwiler.m@portseattle.org by April 17, 2026.
A message from WAMA President Joshua Marcy
Dear WAMA Members,
It is an honor to serve as the President of the Washington Airport Management Association. I am grateful for the trust you have placed in me, and I look forward to working alongside each of you to continue strengthening WAMA and advancing the interests of airports across our state.
Under my leadership, WAMA will place a strong emphasis on active and engaged membership. Our association is at its best when members are involved, connected, and supported. I am committed to ensuring that every airport—regardless of size, location, or role within the system—has a meaningful voice within WAMA and feels represented in our work and priorities.
Another key focus will be ensuring that WAMA continues to carry real weight in Olympia. Airports are critical infrastructure and economic engines for Washington State, and it is essential that our collective interests are clearly communicated and effectively represented at the state level. We will work to strengthen relationships, advocate for airport needs, and ensure decision-makers understand the value airports bring to their communities and the state as a whole.
We will also prioritize attracting and expanding sponsorship opportunities. By growing partnerships and sponsorship support, we can help keep costs down for our members while continuing to deliver high-quality programs, training, and events that provide real value.
Finally, the WAMA leadership team will be intentional about meeting members where they are. That means getting out of conference rooms and into the field—visiting member airports across the state, on your turf, to better understand your challenges, successes, and needs firsthand. These visits will help ensure that WAMA remains grounded in the realities of airport operations throughout Washington.
I am excited about the year ahead and confident that, together, we can continue to build a strong, engaged, and influential association. Thank you for your commitment to WAMA and to the airports we serve.
Respectfully,
Joshua Marcy, AAE
President
Washington Airport Management Association
WELCOME 2026 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
WATCH FOR WSDOT GRANTS IN FEBRUARY
WSDOT Aviation will be releasing a new WSDOT Airport Aid Grant Procedures Manual sometime during the month of January, with an anticipated start date of Monday, February 2 for the 2026 grant application process. Stay tuned on the website for any updates.
NOTAMs:
Seeking WAMA Conference Speakers: Planning has already started for the 2026 Annual WAMA Conference. The conference planning committee is looking for fresh topics and speakers. If you have suggestions for topics which may be new to our members, or if you can recommend a speaker, contact Conference Chairman Samantha Peterson speterson@centurywest.com
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
As we kickoff 2026, we look forward to our upcoming conference in the beautiful Wine Country of Walla Walla! Registration is open and we have a limited room block for our guests at the Marcus Whitman. Please check out the WAMA website for conference details including an early snapshot of our agenda, information on sponsorship opportunities, and our planned events.
We have limited bus space for our airport tour and wine tour event, so register early (first come first serve). Please read all special notes through the registration and on our event page, particularly for sponsorships.
Don't forget to renew your WAMA membership so you may enjoy discounted conference registration rates.
We look forward to seeing you there!
http://www.wama.us
For information on the conference, please contact Samantha Peterson at conference@wama.us.
Thank you to all of our sponsors, JUB, DOWL, Paine Field Snohomish County, CivilAir Engineers PLLC, Precision Approach Engineering, Applied Pavement Technology, Walla Walla Regional Airport, Arlington Municipal Airport and the City of Arlington, Century West Engineering, The Port of Skagit, and Morrison-Maierle for sponsoring the biweekly Waypoints news bulletin. Your support means so much to us.
