51短视频

Two Democrats and two Republicans will vie for the two open seats on the Lincoln Airport Authority during next month鈥檚 general election.

Advancing from Tuesday鈥檚 primary election were Democratic candidates Vanessa Emlich and Nathan Janulewicz and Republicans Chris Hove and Chris Stokes.

Republican Sammy Luci received the fewest votes and was eliminated.

The top two vote-getters in the general election on May 2 will replace incumbents Zachary Mora James and Richard Nuernberger, who both chose not to run for reelection.

Airport Authority members serve six-year unpaid terms on the board, which sets policy for the airport and its industrial park.

Age: 45

翱肠肠耻辫补迟颈辞苍:听Senior manager of Special Investigations Unit for a health insurance company

Political party:聽Democrat

础诲诲谤别蝉蝉:听5340 Pony Hill Court

Website: None

Why are you running for Lincoln Airport Authority?

I want to help the board continue its ongoing efforts to recruit airlines and engage in strategic partnerships. I want to see our community benefit from the potential revenue, convenience and jobs offered by a strong local airport. I would like to use my unique background and skillset to expand opportunities for Lincoln and surrounding area residents to travel to other parts of the country and world.

What experience do you have that relates to the office you鈥檙e seeking?

I have over 20 years of experience in managing teams, strategic planning, establishing partnerships, and figuring out how to make things happen. I have served on the board of directors of the Mental Health Association of Nebraska. I coordinated with government, nonprofit, faith-based and private-sector entities to establish youth programs in Southeast Nebraska that received local, state, and federal funding. I previously worked at Lufthansa Airlines and have a strong understanding of the travel and airline industry.

What do you think the main issues are for the Lincoln Airport in the next decade?

I think that the airline industry as a whole will continue to struggle due to the setbacks caused by the pandemic, staffing shortages, technology issues and rising costs in general. Those struggles are bound to impact airports as well, especially airports like Lincoln. If passengers are unable to find affordable flights out of or into Lincoln, we will continue to see travelers opt for Omaha.

As the airport struggles to recover from the loss of passengers and air service during the pandemic, what do you think a reasonable goal is in terms of attracting new and/or expanded service?

Adding additional/expanded service is a reasonable goal. One way to do this is by actively pursuing partnerships with local and area businesses. We should assess, research, plan and clearly demonstrate how an added service could directly financially benefit those businesses. We can use modern technology and analytical tools to assist with this process.

Do you think the airport鈥檚 industrial park is being utilized to its full potential? If not, what would you change or improve?

There is always room for improvement in any scenario. The recent agreements with Burrell and Timpte are certainly very promising. We should explore additional opportunities to converse with more companies to establish long-term partnerships that make the most sense for the space and align with the airport鈥檚 strategic plan.

What if any changes would you make in how the airport operates and/or markets itself?

There are lots of great things happening for the airport right now with the updated terminal building, new partnerships and possible new airline. The marketing campaigns that remind area residents to choose LNK have been impressive and effective. I think that there could be additional marketing efforts to target local businesses and companies that do business in Lincoln.

Age: 61

Occupation: Banker

Political party:聽Republican

Address: 2402 Ridge Road

Website: None

Why are you running for Lincoln Airport Authority?

My experiences in banking as well as my military and aviation background plus my past experience serving on Lincoln Airport Authority will allow me to add immediate value to the board at a time when there are multiple projects that need attention in order to achieve success. I have a passion for serving as is evidenced by my time in the Navy as well as my service on many local nonprofit boards.

What experience do you have that relates to the office you鈥檙e seeking?

Served on Lincoln Airport Authority from 2007-2011; served on Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Commission from 2011-2018; served in the United States Navy as a naval aviator for 10 years; served as a community and commercial banker for the past 30 years.

What do you think the main issues are for the Lincoln Airport in the next decade?

Commercial air service expansion should always be the main focus for the Lincoln Airport Authority. How do we gain more flights at convenient times at reasonable prices? Also, the board has taken on some big projects with the newly renovated terminal as well as the air cargo project plus the new building projects in Air Park. We need to make sure these projects have careful oversight to ensure success for the Lincoln Airport and Lincoln community

As the airport struggles to recover from the loss of passengers and air service during the pandemic, what do you think a reasonable goal is in terms of attracting new and/or expanded service?

Based on Lincoln鈥檚 population, the city generates over 1 million commercial flights each year, but a vast majority of those go to Omaha mainly due to price, flight availability and offering direct flights. We need to set a goal of capturing half of those flights in Lincoln and find ways to overcome the issues that make other airports a more attractive option.

Do you think the airport鈥檚 industrial park is being utilized to its full potential? If not, what would you change or improve?

Lincoln Airport Authority has great potential given the amount of land it owns. We need to find ways to better utilize and expand usage of the land both in the industrial park and on the commercial aviation side while not competing with local commercial real estate developers. If there are companies that want to own land currently owned by LAA, are there ways for them to purchase or trade land that would give them the ability to grow or expand?

What if any changes would you make in how the airport operates and/or markets itself?

The Lincoln airport has done a good job marketing to Lincoln. We need to set specific metrics that measure success to ensure we are capturing as much commercial air traffic in Lincoln as possible.

Age: 35

Occupation: Legislative aide

Political party: Democrat

础诲诲谤别蝉蝉:听225 N. Cotner Blvd, Apt. 304

奥别产蝉颈迟别:听

Why are you running for Lincoln Airport Authority?

I鈥檓 running for Lincoln Airport Authority because I want people to have the same opportunity I did: to choose to live in Lincoln and know that they can travel anywhere. My goal as a board member is to build on our airport鈥檚 success and provide even more opportunities to keep Lincoln鈥檚 talent in Lincoln. Lincoln鈥檚 airport is essential to our community鈥檚 continued economic success and leads to spending in other sectors such as lodging, restaurants, retail, and entertainment.

What experience do you have that relates to the office you鈥檙e seeking?

I鈥檝e had the opportunity to work in government and policy as a staff member in the office of Lincoln Sen. Eliot Bostar. I was a part of the successful effort to put the ballot question of expanded commercial air travel to a vote of the people. Now that the voters have approved the measure, I am committed to being a part of putting this new tool to work to expand more flights for Lincoln residents and businesses.

What do you think the main issues are for the Lincoln Airport in the next decade?

It is important that the Lincoln airport:

* Work to attract and retain commercial air service.

* Leverage the terminal renovation and expansion to attract new passengers and air services to LNK.

* Retain and grow LNK's business and military stakeholders.

As the airport struggles to recover from the loss of passengers and air service during the pandemic, what do you think a reasonable goal is in terms of attracting new and/or expanded service?

Adding air service is my priority. The board and staff should work tirelessly to attract commercial air service by utilizing all the tools at its disposal as well as working with community partners. My focus will be on providing more opportunities for business and commuter travel.

Do you think the airport鈥檚 industrial park is being utilized to its full potential? If not, what would you change or improve?

The recent announcement by Timpte Inc. to build a large, new manufacturing and warehouse building at the Lincoln Airport's industrial park is an exciting opportunity for LNK and supports Lincoln鈥檚 economy. As a member of the board, I will prioritize attracting business projects like this.

What if any changes would you make in how the airport operates and/or markets itself?

I would like travelers to consider LNK first. To make that a reality, the airport must offer passengers more flights and greater opportunities.

Age: 53

Occupation: Airline pilot

Political party: Republican

础诲诲谤别蝉蝉:听2810 S. 27th St.

奥别产蝉颈迟别:听

Why are you running for Lincoln Airport Authority?

To get Delta, Southwest and American Airlines to come to Lincoln. I believe substantial positive changes must be made to attract airlines to Lincoln. As an airline professional for 28 years, I know firsthand how airlines choose cities and will relentlessly work to get two additional major airlines to Lincoln. Further, I believe in championing fiscally conservative and business-friendly policies, in cutting overreaching regulations, and ensuring new businesses have easy access to the vast, underutilized Lincoln Airport business park.

What experience do you have that relates to the office you鈥檙e seeking?

As an airline, military, corporate and general aviation professional, I care deeply for the Lincoln Airport聽鈥� it has been part of my life for the past 35 years. My first three "real" jobs were at the Lincoln Airport: the Nebraska Air National Guard, a flight instructor, and a pilot. As a 28-year airline pilot, I fly weekly from Lincoln commuting to work. I recently retired after 34 years as a combat fighter pilot flying 50+ combat missions in the F-16 and A-10.

What do you think the main issues are for the Lincoln Airport in the next decade?

The top priority is the re-establishment of major airlines serving Lincoln. A Midwestern city cannot thrive nor compete without the basic fundamental requirement of providing reasonable air service for its citizens, businesses, universities and government. It is maddening to me that small cities less than half our size have 3-4 major airlines with 10+ flights per day to 5+ cities. Secondary is creating a business-friendly environment encouraging local, regional and national manufacturing and industry to build in the west-side industrial park.

As the airport struggles to recover from the loss of passengers and air service during the pandemic, what do you think a reasonable goal is in terms of attracting new and/or expanded service?

I will strive to have three major airlines serving Lincoln by 2028 鈥� we can do this. My prioritized target list includes United mainline, Delta, Southwest, American, Frontier, Jet Blue/Spirit. I will ensure the airport team is focused and armed with a prioritized list using modern business and sales tactics. I will advocate for airline-specific committees of stakeholders focused on specific airline marketing planners/decision-makers. I am committed to regular airport team communications, visits, outreach and follow-up until the goal is achieved.

Do you think the airport鈥檚 industrial park is being utilized to its full potential? If not, what would you change or improve?

Sadly, the old air base looks a bit like a set from a zombie apocalypse movie 鈥� Seriously, the incredible and grossly underutilized industrial park has everything it needs to become top-tier. The infrastructure alone is priceless: miles of paved streets, utilities and drainage coupled with access to rail, I-80 and a huge runway/ramp, 2陆 hours to almost anywhere in the continental U.S. I will work tirelessly with the airport team to relax restrictions to allow easier access to industry.

What if any changes would you make in how the airport operates and/or markets itself?

The marketing team at the Lincoln Airport is terrific and a huge asset as we grow airline service and industrial park revenue. However, it is difficult to market with little inventory 鈥� one commuter airline with limited destinations and flight times. I propose a strategic partnership with the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce to fund a Lincoln Airport marketing team that will strategically 鈥渂ombard鈥� the United, Delta, American, Southwest, etc. route planners/marketing teams, and key decisionmakers until they establish service in Lincoln.