Headland airport manager accepts job with Blackwell Field Airport (71J), Ozark, Alabama

A woman with a decade of experience in airport management and economic development has been hired in a newly-developed position for the Blackwell Airport in Ozark.

The Ozark-Dale County Economic Development Corporation (ODEC) appointed Stephanie Blankenship as the corporation’s executive vice president and director of aviation in Ozark.

According to ODEC Executive Director Eric Basinger, Blankenship will assume the position Jan. 1.

A statement from Basinger said Blankenship has been instrumental in securing more than $2.6 million in federal airport improvement grants in Headland and that she previously served as executive director of the Henry County Economic Development Authority and as economic development assistant for the City of Headland.

The statement said Blankenship’s duties in Dale County involve managing the airport and planning for future improvements, as well as assisting with economic development initiatives coordinated by ODEC.

Blankenship will continue as executive director of the Aviation Council of Alabama, an industry organization she has led since 2004, according to Basinger.

Blankenship said she was excited about the new opportunity.

“In Ozark, with Bell Helicopter on one side of the airport and the aviation college on the side, there’s just a world of opportunity there,” she said.

“I’m looking forward to getting started at the first of the year and exploring all the potential that there is at the airport.”

Source:  http://www.dothaneagle.com