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Four people are running for two seats on the Lincoln Airport Authority.

Longtime board members John Hoppe Jr. and Bob Selig are leaving the board.

The four candidates are Nicki Behmer, Jason B. Krueger, John S. Olsson and Tracy L. Refior.

Airport Authority members serve six-year terms and are elected by voters citywide.

The top two vote-getters will win seats in the May 4 general election. In the April primary, the candidates finished in this order: Olsson (21,254), Behmer (17,636), Refior (14,709), Krueger (11,489).

The five-member Airport Authority meets once a month and is responsible for setting policy and overseeing the budget for the Lincoln Airport and its LNK Enterprise Park industrial area. Positions are unpaid.

Age: 37

Lives near: South 70th Street and Yankee Hill Road

Occupation: Realtor

Political party: Nonpartisan

Education: Master of Arts in communication, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Bachelor of Arts in communication, Hastings College

Website:

What experience do you have that relates to the office you’re seeking?

My experience in policymaking, as a local business owner and various board memberships not only makes me well-positioned to realize the needs of our community but also in understanding the nuances of both public and private organizational structures. In these roles, I have worked on various issues — fundraising for local nonprofits, incentives for redevelopment and preservation of historic properties to help create jobs and drive economic development — which would provide useful to the five-member board.

COVID-19 devastated the airline industry, and passenger numbers at the Lincoln Airport dropped by more than two-thirds last year. What do you see as the Airport Authority’s role in helping passenger numbers to rebound at the airport?

While the devastation to our airline industry as a whole is unfortunate, I believe the upside is that it may provide LNK some negotiating power for incentives to expand air services. To do so, it is critical for the authority to work in tandem with the executive director on air service development by gaining support from businesses as well as leisure travelers in our community.

Do you support the planned $45 million-$50 million remodel of the airport terminal? If so, do you agree that levying a property tax is the best way to pay for it? If not, would you favor smaller, less-costly upgrades to address pressing issues?

I absolutely support the project as it is critical to meet modern design standards and basic structural support for upgraded equipment. And reasonably, construction should take place while passenger counts lag. As a Realtor, I understand firsthand the reluctance to levy a property tax. However, construction costs are rising, so to say it will be less costly if done incrementally seems unrealistic, especially while interest rates remain low. I do support sunsetting the tax once the project is complete.

What if any other issues do you believe the Airport Authority should focus on?

I want to reemphasize the board’s need to focus on community buy-in. I hear repeatedly that more options need to be available for Lincoln passengers. And I agree. To oversimplify, airlines determine services to a community based on the community’s demand. When passengers choose Omaha over Lincoln, airlines divert their services to meet the increased demand. The economic loss to the Lincoln region due to passengers instead choosing Omaha is estimated to be $129 million per year. We must consider LNK first.

Age: 53

Lives near:ÌýNorth 27th and Superior streets

Occupation: Own and operate Kitchen Tune-Up of Lincoln

Political party: Nonpartisan

Education: Bachelor of Science in mechanized systems management, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Website: None

What experience do you have that relates to the office you’re seeking?

The experience that I have that would help with the airport authority board is the fact that I have done a lot of project and operations management in the past and I believe that would help me make decisions that would be best for the Lincoln Airport and its customers.

COVID-19 devastated the airline industry, and passenger numbers at the Lincoln Airport dropped by more than two-thirds last year. What do you see as the Airport Authority’s role in helping passenger numbers to rebound at the airport?

I believe that the airport needs to follow all the COVID-19 guidelines to help keep the passengers safe and make sure that they know that we are doing the best we can to do just that. Hopefully when they lift some of the bans and people start to move around a little more the airline industry will get busier.

Do you support the planned $45 million-$50 million remodel of the airport terminal? If so, do you agree that levying a property tax is the best way to pay for it? If not, would you favor smaller, less-costly upgrades to address pressing issues?

I do support the expansion, but I do not like the idea of levying more taxes right now. Due to COVID many of us are suffering from lack of income. Unfortunately, just fixing the small things is probably throwing money away. They just need to expand the airport to get it to what it needs to be to comply with the TSA and also help bring in more airlines because of additional gates and passengers’ willingness to come.

What if any other issues do you believe the Airport Authority should focus on?

Increasing the number of airlines here, increasing the number of passengers that go through here, possibly some economic development of the property that they own on the west side and north side. Those are other things that I would like to try and work on.

Age: 55

Lives near: South 40th Street and Pine Lake Road

°¿³¦³¦³Ü±è²¹³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô:ÌýLicensed professional engineer

Political party: Republican

Education: Bachelor of Science in engineering, Colorado School of Mines; Master of Science in engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Website:

What experience do you have that relates to the office you’re seeking?

As a licensed private pilot, I’ve come to appreciate all things aviation. My career has been built by understanding how applied strategy, marketing, engineering, construction and development can make for stronger communities. My engineering firm works on projects that are easily classified as public infrastructure, and we have been involved with much private development work as well. This will be useful as the LNK Next expansion unfolds and the airport reaches to become more vibrant.

COVID-19 devastated the airline industry, and passenger numbers at the Lincoln Airport dropped by more than two-thirds last year. What do you see as the Airport Authority’s role in helping passenger numbers to rebound at the airport?

Adding air service is my priority. The board/staff need to work tirelessly to recruit and retain air carriers, and the community at large needs to give Lincoln a look ... every time. Research has shown that of the people who can use the Lincoln Airport, only 25% do so. If we could raise that percentage to 50% it would make a huge difference in utilization numbers. While we need to act quickly, results will take time and we need to stay committed.

Do you support the planned $45 million-$50 million remodel of the airport terminal? If so, do you agree that levying a property tax is the best way to pay for it? If not, would you favor smaller, less-costly upgrades to address pressing issues?

I’m not a huge advocate for new taxes. But from time to time, there will be an opportunity to do something great, to make a difference because it is big and bold. Like the LNK Next expansion. The current board and staff have done their homework. I believe what is planned is the right balance to manage costs and recreate a viable airport that is mindful of the customer experience, effectively creating excitement that will attract more flights and travelers.

What if any other issues do you believe the Airport Authority should focus on?

My priorities are as follows:

* Attracting and retaining commercial air service.

* Successful completion of the LNK Next expansion, ensuring it is done right to help us leverage additional commercial air service and attract more passengers.

* Balanced growth of industrial development.

* General aviation businesses -- their future is bright; they will be growing and we need to be prepared to assist with their growth plans.

* Retain our valued military stakeholders and leverage what we can post-Offutt.

Age: 51

Lives near:Ìý70th and South streets

°¿³¦³¦³Ü±è²¹³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô:ÌýFinancial adviser, small-business owner of Always Safe Storage

Political party: Republican

Education:ÌýBachelor of Science in political science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Website: None

What experience do you have that relates to the office you’re seeking?

The experience I have to bring to the office is that I’m a business owner with extensive knowledge of property management and contracts. I’m also a financial adviser for the last 28 years and have worked with many clients in all walks of life.

COVID-19 devastated the airline industry, and passenger numbers at the Lincoln Airport dropped by more than two-thirds last year. What do you see as the Airport Authority’s role in helping passenger numbers to rebound at the airport?

We need to focus on more leisure destinations instead of just business destinations. We need to change the attitude with competing with Omaha and instead figure out why Grand Island is doing better than us. Maybe, small airline(s) with more destinations. We don’t get federal Essential Air Service assistance so we need to be more creative in finance and attracting more passengers to use our facilities.

Do you support the planned $45 million-$50 million remodel of the airport terminal? If so, do you agree that levying a property tax is the best way to pay for it? If not, would you favor smaller, less-costly upgrades to address pressing issues?

I understand the airport is in need of wanting to do a $50 million expansion. With the recent pandemic, I’m not sure it’s time to expand and add tax burden to people who are struggling already. I wouldn’t have such an issue if we were to use money from the recent COVID relief funds given to the city, instead of the mayor giving away that money to nonprofits (who do not need it, according to their recent balance sheets).

What if any other issues do you believe the Airport Authority should focus on?

The biggest issue is we are within 50 miles of Eppley Airfield. That means no federal assistance for Essential Air Service. We need to be more creative in attracting people. Maybe free or reduced parking and the personal guarantee to get you on that flight within 30-45 minutes. We need to convey that time is everything and by using our services you don’t need to travel two hours roundtrip and sit for a couple hours before you get on your plane.

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