Jim Schell, President of the Wisconsin Airport Management Association (WAMA), and manager of Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, welcomed members and attendees to the Wisconsin Aviation Conference, October 2-4, 2024, at the Madison Marriott West in Madison, Wisconsin.
“Let me be the first to welcome you back to our great state capital,” said Schell. “Our efforts to spread the conference to every corner of the state means that we can offer this premier event to all our members with varying degrees of proximity to their home airport. It also means that it’s a somewhat rare occasion to network, collaborate, and socialize in the cradle of our state government.”
The 68th annual Wisconsin Aviation Conference promised to bring everyone together, to learn from shared challenges, and to celebrate the wins of the past year. The conference planning committee worked tirelessly to put together another packed program for airport directors, consultants, exhibitors, sponsors, and government officials. The host airport was Dane County Regional Airport (KMSN).
Welcoming attendees to Dane County was Jamie Kuhn, Dane County Executive. “We are honored to host this year’s conference in Madison, our vibrant state capital, and bring together professionals from across the aviation industry to learn, connect, and innovate. This year holds special significance for us as Dane County Regional Airport celebrates 85 years of commercial air service. We are also proud to be the home of the Air National Guard’s 115th Fighter Wing, which plays an important role in our community, fostering aviation innovation and economic development in our region. We are excited to host the only statewide conference encompassing all facets of aviation. From airports and FBOs, to pilots, consultants, and government agencies – the Wisconsin Aviation Conference plays a crucial role in advancing the future of aviation in Wisconsin.”
The Wisconsin Airport Management Association’s board of directors for 2024 consisted of Jim Schell of Wittman Regional Airport, President; Matt Grenoble of Sheboygan County Memorial International Airport, Vice President; Harold Mester of Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport and Milwaukee Timmerman Airport, Treasurer; Mark Cihlar of Central Wisconsin Airport, Secretary; and directors Abe Weber of Appleton International Airport, Charity Zich of Chippewa Valley Regional Airport, Michael Riechers of Dane County Regional Airport, Rachel Engeler of Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport, Lauren Koss of La Crosse Regional Airport, Todd Berry of Prairie du Chien Municipal Airport, Aimee Scrima of Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport, and Mike Shaw of West Bend Municipal Airport.
WAMA held its annual meeting during the conference in which elections were held. Matt Grenoble was elected President, Harold Mester was elected Vice President, Mark Cihlar was elected Treasurer, and Aimee Scrima was elected Secretary. Debby Jackson and Luke Pearson of TDA provide Executive Director Services for the association.
The conference planning committee consisted of Terry Donovan and Chris Reis of Mead & Hunt, Ryan Falch and Melissa Underwood of SEH, Stephanie Senst of Westwood PS, and Max Platts of the Wisconsin Bureau of Aeronautics Aeronautical & Technical Services Sections.
Recognized for outstanding service was Karl Kemper, President of Becher Hoppe Associates; Kurt Stanich of Waukesha County Airport; Pat Rowe of Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport; Jeff Gaier of Marshfield Municipal Airport; and Tami Weaver of the Wisconsin Bureau of Aeronautics.
Karl Kemper, President of Becher Hoppe Associates, received the “Airport Engineer of the Year Award,” for being instrumental in helping airports, such as Wausau Downtown Airport, work with the FAA through delays and funding denials, coming up with creative solutions to meet the FAA’s requests for information. Kemper is known for providing the highest level of support and dedication to every project, always keeping the airport’s best interest in mind. He is an active pilot and aircraft owner who knows airports from both the engineer and pilot perspective. As one airport official summed it up, “Aviation is not just a job for Karl, it is his passion!”
Kurt Stanich of Waukesha County Airport received the “Distinguished Service Award” for leading the Wings Over Waukesha air show for four years, serving on the Wisconsin Airport Management Association board from 2014 until 2023, including two-years as President, and serves on the board of the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame. Like Karl Kemper, Kurt Stanich is an active pilot and aircraft owner.
Pat Rowe of Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport received the “Lifetime Service Award” for having worked at the airport from 1988 to 2023. Rowe led the airport’s marketing and communications, customer experience, and air service development efforts. Rowe is well-known in the industry for her extensive networking skills, and by her peers at airports nationwide who voted for her to receive the coveted “Ted Bushelman Award” for Creativity and Excellence from Airports Council International (ACI). This award is the highest recognition given by ACI for individual performance related to accomplishments and contributions to airport marketing, communications, and customer experience.
Jeff Gaier of Marshfield Municipal Airport received the “Blue Light Award” for his work as an organizer, website designer, and marketer, as demonstrated by the “Flying Hamburger Social” which he spearheaded throughout the region. Gaier has shown exceptional dedication and innovation in his role as the organizer of this event over the past dozen or so years, making a significant impact on the aviation community. The “Flying Hamburger Social” has transformed the way aviators and aviation enthusiasts connect and engage across Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota. This weekly event, hosted at various airports, has promoted general aviation and fostered a sense of camaraderie and community among participants. Under Gaier’s leadership, the event has become a beloved tradition, attracting pilots, their families, and the public to celebrate aviation in a relaxed and friendly environment. Gaier’s organizational skills and attention to detail have been instrumental in the success of the program.
Tami Weaver of the Wisconsin Bureau of Aeronautics received the “Person of the Year Award” for having held financial positions with the bureau for over 20 years that have benefitted airports throughout Wisconsin. Weaver arrived in her current role at a critical time for the bureau. The “GONE Act” identified many FAA grants overdue for closure, with consequences for not meeting congressionally mandated deadlines, something any organization would want to avoid. Many said it would not be possible to get the job done in time. In 2019, Weaver mobilized her section to achieve the impossible and turned Wisconsin into the Chicago Airport District Office’s golden star for grant management.
Conference events included a tour of the Wisconsin Air National Guard’s 115th Fighter Wing at Dane County Regional Airport, meet and mingle receptions, luncheons and dinners, special times meeting with exhibitors, the annual WAMA membership meeting, and featured speakers including Pete Bunce, President and CEO of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), who brought attendees up to date on the state of general aviation in the U.S. and Europe, progress on aviation fuels, and associated environmental challenges. FAA Great Lakes and Chicago Airports District Office officials, and Wisconsin Bureau of Aeronautics officials, including its director, David Greene, also made presentations.
Time was set aside at the conference for one-on-one meetings between airport managers and state and federal aviation officials. Breakout session topics included airport building eligibility and spacing requirements, GA community involvement, tips on winterizing airports, airport lease and insurance best practices, planning for crosswind runways to ensure federal funding, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding, mastering the art of combining airport and FBO management, air service development, how to get an airport project funded, and the economic importance of airports.
The 2025 Wisconsin Aviation Conference will be held October 20-22 in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Pete Bunce, President, General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA).
Dave Weiman Photo(L/R) Karl Kemper, President, Becher Hoppe Associates, Inc., accepted the “Airport Engineer of the Year Award” from WAMA President Jim Schell.
Dave Weiman Photo(L/R) Kurt Stanich of Waukesha County Airport accepted the “Distinguished Service Award” from WAMA President Jim Schell.
Dave Weiman Photo(L/R) Jeff Gaier of Marshfield Municipal Airport, who spearheaded the “Hamburger Socials,” accepted the “Blue Light Award” from WAMA President Jim Schell.
Dave Weiman Photo(L/R) Jim Schell of Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wis., who served as President of WAMA 2023-24, received WAMA’s “Presidential Award” from WAMA Vice President Matt Grenoble of Sheboygan County Memorial International Airport.
Dave Weiman Photo(L/R) WAMA President Jim Schell presented the “Lifetime Service Award” to Pat Rowe of Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport.
Dave Weiman Photo
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