There’s a new director on the job at the Southwest Michigan Regional Airport.
The airport authority board voted to appoint Christopher Beckman to the position back in August, and he’s now moved into the area with his wife and three young daughters. Beckman grew up in Jackson and tells us he served in the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard, often overseeing airfields. He says that’s how he developed a passion for aviation.
“Because I got to work on an airfield and see how airfields are run, it really just piqued my interest in learning how to design airfields, how the planes — before they even take off — all the steps that it takes just to get a plane off the ground was just amazing to me,” Beckman said. “That’s why I wanted to continue on the civilian side.”
The airport says Beckman has experience with large-scale runway renovation projects, airfield construction, managing budgets, and coordinating with pilots, air traffic controllers, and contractors. Moving forward, he says goal number one will be to secure the renewal of the airport’s operating millage next year. Beyond that, he wants the airport to be there for everyone.
“Trying to grow some type of services here that can help people. Not just companies, not just private pilots, but that we can serve people, the community, get them to where they need to go in the future. That’s one of the goals we have. I’m not quite sure how that looks yet, but that’s definitely one of my biggest goals is to serve everyone, not just a select few.”
Beckman says he also wants to promote the airport and engage the public so everyone knows it’s there, what happens there, and how it can benefit them.
Beckman is already expecting to hold another Wings and Wheels Fall Fly-In next year after the inaugural event was held this past weekend.
