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ESCANABA -- For incoming Delta County Airport Manager T.J. Reid, a passion for aviation has been a lifelong affair. Reid begins his new role on April 2. He replaces current Airport Manager Kelly Smith.
According to Reid, he has had an interest in aviation for decades.
"I actually started learning how to fly when I was 16," he said. He got his pilot's license at the age of 17.
While he was still in high school, Reid was one of two teenagers selected for an internship with the Experimental Aircraft Association in Oshkosh, Wis. Reid also fueled aircraft at Cheyenne Regional Airport in Cheyenne, Wyo., through high school and college.
After graduating from the University of Wyoming, Reid found employment as an operations representative with Denver International Airport. He then moved into an operations specialist position at the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport in Broomfield, Colo. before taking the position of airport manager at Augusta Municipal Airport.
"My first airport manager position was in Augusta, Kansas," Reid said. Later, he took the position of deputy director of aviation at Cheyenne Regional Airport.
After working there for five years, Reid went to graduate school at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to get his master's degree in aeronautical science. Shortly after he accomplished this, he traveled to Long Beach, Calif. to spend a few weeks with friends.
"I ended up staying in California, and secured a position with (a) drug and alcohol rehab center as their compliance manager," he said. He is still in Long Beach today.
However, Reid's long-term goal was to return to his previous line of work. He said he was attracted to the airport manager position at Delta County Airport in large part because of the work done by Smith and the airport's other employees.
"Kelly and her staff and the county have done an excellent job with maintaining and managing the airport," he said. Reid will train with Smith for six weeks after entering his new position.
He also noted the area's positive relationship with the airport played a role in his decision to apply for the position.
"Some communities are not supportive of aviation … but (Escanaba) appears to be favorable to the airport," Reid said.
Thanks to Smith's efforts at the Delta County Airport, Reid said he will not have to work to bring the airport up to compliance with regulations. Instead, he will be able to focus on the challenges the airport faces.
"The airport needs to be financially self-sufficient," Reid said of one of these challenges. He noted this is not an uncommon problem for airports to have, but that working towards self-sufficiency is a requirement for Federal Aviation Administration funding.
Reid also said he hopes to find tenants for vacant properties on the airport's grounds.
"It's just now trying to attract those businesses that might be a good fit on the properties," he said.
He will also aim to promote the growth of general aviation at the airport.
"I think that's one of the things we're looking at … trying to develop that more," Reid said.
In regards to commercial aviation, Reid said he would like to establish new flight options at the airport. He noted this will be difficult, but that working towards this goal should be worthwhile.
"It's definitely worth the pursuit," he said.
Reid also said he plans to work with other Essential Air Service (EAS) airports to oppose plans to eliminate funding for this program included in the federal budget proposal for the 2018-19 fiscal year.
"There's (going to) have to be some sort of push to … demonstrate the necessity of (EAS) for our communities," he said.
Reid said he is looking forward to coming to the Upper Peninsula next month.
"I have had nothing but positive experiences with Escanaba so far," he said.