In 1979, the Asheville Regional Airport Authority Board was established under North Carolina Statutes by Buncombe County and the City of Asheville to maintain, operate, regulate and improve the airport while enhancing the economy of the region. Since its creation, the Authority has been successful in the development and operation of the airport and has matured into a fully self-sustaining enterprise requiring no local financial assistance for its operations, maintenance or capital programs.
Note: On June 28, 2012, the North Carolina legislature voted to change the structure of the board to a state-sanctioned independent airport authority with more regional representation and governance. The transition to the new governing organization, the Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority, is underway and expected to soon be fully in place. The new board will consist of the following:
Two appointments by the Asheville City Council
Two appointments by the Buncombe County Commission
Two appointments by the Henderson County Commission
One regional at-large appointment by the six board members
A new slate of board members will be posted upon their appointments.
The Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority board is comprised of seven members, noted below. Authority meetings are held on the second Friday of the month and are open to the public.
Chair
Appointed by: City of Asheville
Term expires: June 2014
Address: 47 North Market Street, Asheville, NC 28802
Phone: 828-258-3368
A graduate of Duke University Law School, David Hillier has been practicing law in Asheville since 1978. He is currently an attorney with the firm of Gum, Hillier & McCroskey, P.A., working primarily in the areas of bankruptcy and financial distress.
Mr. Hillier served as a member of the Asheville City School Board for eight years, was president of the local (500 + lawyers) Bar Association and is a recipient of the prestigious Centennial Award for Outstanding Community Service from the State of North Carolina Bar Association.
Vice-Chair
Appointed by: City of Asheville
Term expires: June 2014
Address: 2106 Hendersonville Road, Arden, NC 28704
Phone: 828-257-5725
Regional Executive Vice President of First Citizens Bank & Trust Co., Bob has 26 years of experience in the banking and financial business. He holds a degree in Industrial Relations and Psychology from UNC-Chapel Hill. Bob is the YMCA of Western North Carolina Board Chairman and is on the board of several other organizations, including Eblen Charities and Mission Healthcare System.
Member (At Large)
Appointed by: Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority Board
Term Expires: June 2016
Address: 34 Sharon Drive, Fairview, NC 28730
Phone: 828-273-1921
K. Ray Bailey is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University (BS Social Sciences) and Western Carolina University (MA ED Administration). He retired from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College serving 41 years, the last 17 as President. He serves on a number of non-profit boards and is a member of the NC State Board for Community Colleges.
Member
Appointed by: Buncombe County
Term expires: June 2016
Address: 37 Forest Knoll Drive, Weaverville, NC 28787
Phone: 828-658-1719
Jeff has more than 30 years of experience in the Hospitality Industry. He is recognized as a Certified Executive Chef through the American Culinary Federation, and Certified Food and Beverage Executive through the American Hotel and Lodging Association. Jeff is a Leadership Asheville Fellow Graduate of Class 27, and has worked with many community groups, including Eblen Charities, March of Dimes, and Habitat for Humanity.
Member
Appointed by: Henderson County
Term Expires: June 2016
Address: 330 North King Street, Hendersonville, NC 28792
Phone: 828-692-6373
Andrew Tate is the President & CEO of the Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development, Inc. He is a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, Vision Henderson County and Leadership North Carolina. Tate also serves on the North Carolina Economic Developers Association Board of Directors, and as a Trustee for Blue Ridge Community College. Andrew and wife Brooke live in Hendersonville with their sons Everett and Winston.
Member
Appointed by: Buncombe County
Term expires: June 2014
Address: 555A Brevard Road, Asheville, NC 28806
Phone: 828-258-5019
Martha is a native North Carolinian, born in the Sandhills. She has degrees in Economics and Management and is a graduate of Duke University’s Utility Management program. Martha is a 30 year veteran of Progress Energy, where she is currently responsible for issue management and resolution, political, community, and media relations, economic development, and philanthropic initiatives, among others.