CAPE GIRARDEAU REGIONAL AIRPORT GETS NEW MANAGER

The new manager of Cape Girardeau Regional Airport wants to develop an all-encompassing plan to promote passenger service, general aviation and economic development.

Bruce Loy, a licensed commercial pilot who previously was an airport manager in Washington state, will take over as head of the airport here April 2.

In the meantime, Loy said he has a lot of homework to do to get a clearer picture of the airport operation and where it should be in terms of maximizing its potential.

"We have to look at the entire scope of the airport and go from there," Loy said.

City Manager Michael Miller announced Loy's appointment during a Friday afternoon press conference at City Hall. Loy was accompanied by his wife, Patti, and son Joshua. The Loys, who currently reside in Seattle, Wash., have three other children.

A selection team composed of several city and airport officials selected Loy from among five candidates interviewed late last month. None of those interviewed is from Southeast Missouri.

Miller said Loy was the unanimous choice of selection team members.

"Bruce personified what we were looking for. He best reflects what people involved with the airport really want," Miller said.

The airport has been without a permanent manager since the mid-November departure of Greg Chenoweth, who had been manager since December 1994. Chenoweth resigned to take a similar position in Chandler, Ariz.

Walter Denton, administrative assistant to the city manager, had been serving as interim airport manager.

Loy wants to find out what airport tenants and the community feel are the positive and negative aspects of the facility and what improvements are needed.

He also pledged to work with Trans World Express, the lone airline operating from the airport, to improve commercial service.

He said the airline should be heavily promoted in the region as an alternative to driving to St. Louis. If people find negatives with flying as opposed to driving, changes to alleviate those negatives need to be made, he said.

"I see the airport manager's position as being extremely challenging, and I look forward to it," Loy said.

Loy, who earned a bachelor of science degree in aviation administration from Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, has 20 years experience in airport operations.

He served as airport manager of the Yakima Air Terminal in Yakima, Wash., for five years.

He previously worked as an airport planner for the state of Tennessee and held various administrative posts at Dallas-Forth Worth (Texas) Regional Airport, Broome County Airport in Binghamtom, N.Y., and McAllen (Texas) International Airport.