Highlights from recent WAYPOINTS.
For the full version of the February 17, 2025 edition, click here.

HELP AT THE WAMA BOOTH

The Northwest Aviation Conference and Trade Show is February 22 and 23 this year at the Puyallup Fairgrounds.  

If you can spare an hour or two to help man the WAMA booth, please contact Marjy Leggett at Director@wama.us to let her know which day and what time would work for you.

Notice of Funding Opportunity: Rural and Tribal Assistance Grant Program

Per Eric L. Johnson, WSDOT Aviation Deputy Director, it looks like many of our rural airports would be eligible for this funding opportunity:

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT’s) Build America Bureau (Bureau) released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program, created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The NOFO offers $27 million in technical assistance grants to rural and tribal communities for the planning and design phase development of transportation projects.
 
Applications will be accepted beginning Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 2:00 PM ET.

NOMINATIONS FOR WAMA AWARDS NOW OPEN

The WAMA Conference is just three months away, and it's not too early 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 18, 2025.

A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

I am sincerely honored to have been elected President of WAMA for 2025. It is my privilege to serve in this capacity, as I am committed to exploring innovative ways to enhance our organization and effectively address the needs of our members.

In alignment with WAMA’s Mission Statement, which emphasizes our commitment to strengthening airport management and fostering professionalism among airport operators in Washington State, I look forward to continuing our alliance.

As we prepare for 2025, I am excited about our board and committee members' ongoing commitment to advancing our organization's goals. During my presidency, I plan to focus on enhancing our processes, continuing outreach to small and rural airports, and increasing student engagement in WAMA.

I look forward to working collaboratively with all of you to further our mission and make a meaningful impact in our industry. Thank you for your trust and support.
 

Lorene Robinson, C.M., ACE
President, Washington Airport Management Association

2025 WAMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Welcome to our newly elected officers!  They are excited and ready to step into their new positions. It's a great team and we look forward to their leadership. 

A LOOK TO THE PAST.  MY, HOW THEY'VE CHANGED!
In 1968 there were 197 airports in Washington.  Many are gone or barely recognizable today. 
 
Airport manager for the Port of Benton, Quentin Wright, has digitized his old 1968 Washington Airport Pilot's Guide from The Washington State Aeronautics Commission (57 years ago!). Quentin says, "I like thumbing through and looking at a snapshot of what things were like at the different airports back then and figured other WAMA members would too." 

For a fascinating look at the past, click the link below.
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/n8f5su0ss89gr3lnyuoi9/1968-Washignton-Pilots-Guide.pdf?rlkey=ymxtybxgqg8lzjrm4bjwzfrwn&st=23dbvatj&dl=0
 

AN INVITATION FROM JOSHUA MARCY

On behalf of the Washington Airport Management Association (WAMA), I am requesting your support for our upcoming 2025 Annual Conference, which will take place in beautiful Chelan, Washington, from May 19-21 in Chelan, WA. This conference brings together professionals from airports across Washington State to share knowledge, discuss industry trends, and strengthen our network. This year, we are excited to host sessions that will promote collaboration, innovation, and safety within airport management.  

One of the highlights of our conference is our drawing, which offers attendees the chance to win memorable prizes while fostering a positive and interactive environment. We would be very grateful if your airport would consider donating a prize/gift to our drawing. Whether it’s branded items, travel vouchers, gift cards, or unique experiences, your contribution would help make the conference memorable and engaging for our attendees.
 
Please let us know if you are interested in contributing or if you have any questions. If so, please contact me, Joshua Marcy @ Joshua.Marcy@snoco.org. Thank you very much for considering this opportunity to support WAMA’s mission and the continued success of our annual conference. We look forward to the possibility of partnering with you.

Warm regards,

Joshua W. Marcy AAE, ASE | WAMA Past President

SCHOLARSHIP NEWS

The Scholarship Committee is happy to announce that the Board of Directors voted to approve an increase in the amount awarded for the Community and Internship grants.  The Community Award has gone from $500 to $750.  Internships have increased from $1,000 to $2,000.  The Tom Eller Scholarship and Professional Development Award remain unchanged.

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.