New Long Beach Airport (KLGB) Association board focuses on aviation’s role in regional economy

LONG BEACH >> A new 14-member board of directors has been formed to foster diversity in business and bring awareness of the aviation sector’s contribution to the regional economy, it was announced Thursday.

The Long Beach Airport Association, whose membership represents more than 18,000 employees and 200 diverse businesses at the airport, elected a board of aviation-related business owners and kicked off www.thelbaa.org, designed to inform the public of its efforts.

In the coming months, the association will discuss ways to recruit and keep jobs, promote and improve the airport and tackle regulatory and policy challenges.

“The LBAA’s new direction is the result of a strategic planning process and ongoing collaboration among our members,” LBAA Board President and Aerolease Group CEO and President Curt Castagna said in a statement. “We’re excited about working closely with airport management, city leaders and the community on marketing efforts that will sustain commerce and industry in the Long Beach area.”

Board leaders include Castagna as president, Signature Flight Support Area Director Eric Hill as first vice president, Experimental Aircraft Association President Don Thompson as second vice president, CPA John Murrill as treasurer and Aerolease Group Manager Cindy Goodfellow as secretary.

Board members also include Thomas Berg, JetBlue Airways general manager; Fred Cei, JFI Jets executive vice president of sales; Phillip DiFiore, Island Express president; Paul Giczewski, Facilities, Security & Operations, Gulfstream Aerospace; aircraft owner Paul LaGreek; Cody Pierce of Aces High Aviation; Glenn Ray, owner of MillionAir North; Arthur Rosales, director of sales and marketing at Long Beach Airport Marriott; John Tary, aviation general manager at AirFlite, Inc. and White Buffalo Holdings Property Manager Jonnie Weber. 

Story and comments:    http://www.presstelegram.com