NEW AIRPORT MANAGER HAS FEET ON THE GROUND

Cape Girardeau welcomes a new airport manager whose feet seem firmly planted on the ground. Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Randy Holdman has an impressive background in the military, government and commercial aviation. This experience plus his specific ideas on future airport direction should give him a good start. He will take over duties June 1.

Holdman was selected from a slate of more than 150 applicants. Although a Missouri native, he comes to Cape Girardeau from Texas. During his 20-year Air Force career, he served as both a fighter pilot and in middle management. Since his military retirement in January 1991, he has worked for the state of Texas Aviation Department and Lonestar Overnight Express Air. He also has been involved in fixed-base operations in Texas and in the military.

On a visit to town last Friday, Holdman stressed the need for quality airport services - driven by customer satisfaction. While the infrastructure may be in place, he said, the Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport needs to work on improving and then properly marketing those services. The emphasis on customer satisfaction should stretch from the airport restaurant to the fixed-base operation, he said. Holdman also stressed the importance of recruiting new aviation-related business or industry to the airport.

He is only Cape Girardeau's second airport manager - replacing Mark Seesing, who moved over to manage the airport's fixed-base operator. The fact that Seesing's knowledge and experience will be close at hand should aid Holdman in his transition. We hope the two will forge a real partnership of cooperation that will afford change.

His arrival also comes at a fitting time. After more than two years of construction and delays, the airport terminal renovation is nearly complete. Newly remodeled headquarters should allow airport promotion to take wing. That's not to say his job will be easy. Sagging boarding statistics have been a standing worry. The city also wants to focus attention on the essential air service program offered by Trans World Express - and the lack of good connections to hubs.

Holdman seems to recognize that the airport is an important "front door" to our community. It's often the first - and only - impression that some travelers receive. If our new airport manager stays the course he has indicated, he should perform admirably.