TERRE HAUTE —
New vision took flight from the Terre Haute International Airport Wednesday night as incoming leaders announced changes under way.
The board meeting represented a first for Darrel Zeck, formerly of the Terre Haute mayor’s office, now the airport director of operations and development. Bill McKown, the facility’s new executive director, will join the team next week, and the airport will host a public welcome reception for the administration from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Board President Chris Doll said the transition of leadership has been outstanding to date, and organizational changes are moving ahead with great progress. The selection of McKown, a retired U.S. Navy captain and experienced airport executive, has been a tremendous move in the right direction, Doll said, adding enthusiasm is high all the way around.
“He’s truly excited about joining the team and leading it,” Doll said of McKown.
In its business meeting, the board unanimously approved an asset purchase and lease-back arrangement with the ownership of Louise’s restaurant.
Doll and others noted that the restaurant inside the airport hasn’t served lunch or breakfast since July, with dinner hours limited to weekends. The new arrangement is hoped to generate more activity and partnership between the two groups.
The board unanimously agreed to purchase the restaurant’s equipment and assets for $75,000, then signed a five-year lease with out-clauses at each of its one-year marks. Rent will be 5 percent of the restaurant and catering operation’s monthly gross, Doll explained.
“I think this is a better arrangement,” he said, adding the airport’s marketing staff will help promote the restaurant and catering offerings in the spirit of partnership.
Board member Bill Foraker said meetings with Louise’s owner, Rob Lundstrom, have been productive, and the group expects to see a new menu and aviation theme there. The lease contains language pertaining to hours, and the restaurant will be open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays, with a Sunday brunch under consideration between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Expanded dinner hours are also being discussed, he said.
Lundstrom also operates The Copper Bar and the Louise’s inside the Terre Haute Children’s Museum, and the airport lunch menu is expected to shift more in that direction, board members said.
“I think we have a real opportunity to help step that whole operation up,” Foraker said of the agreement.
Meanwhile, Zeck said his first seven days on board have been busy, and he updated the group about his new appointments to the Indiana State University Aviation Advisory board, and other activities which included teaching a class there.
The Federal Aviation Administration is in the process of selecting six national sites at which to test unmanned flight projects, and Zeck said he’s joined a statewide coalition of Indiana aviation officials to lobby for one of the spots.
“Indiana has a great team and a great asset, and we’re part of that,” he said of the project.
Cosmetic renovations are ongoing at the facility, augmenting those done by Hoosier Aviation LLC, which purchased the airport’s Fixed Base Operator last year.
Foraker described the addition of McKown and Zeck to the airport team as part of a new vibrancy there.
“It’s just a really exciting time for this airport,” he said.
Brian Boyce can be reached at 812-231-4253 or brian.boyce@tribstar.com.
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New team has new plans for airport
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