The Auburn University Regional Airport has traversed growth and increase in demand under the leadership of Director Bill Hutto, and next week Hutto will be recognized nationally for his leadership.
The National Air Transportation Association selected Hutto as the recipient of its annual Airport Executive Partnership Award, which recognizes airport managers for efforts to foster relationships between aviation business and airport operations.
Winners are chosen for their ability to illustrate leadership in the partnership between airport operators and airport tenants, according to the NATA website. Hutto will receive the award at the association’s Industry Excellence Awards luncheon on Wednesday in Washington, D.C.
Hutto credited the work of his staff and those who preceded him at the airport for the honor, emphasizing that it is a “team award.”
“I will accept the award, but if I had my way, I would take everybody up there and we’d all stand on the stage together because it takes a true team effort, and it’s really a reflection of the university partnership with the local governments, too,” Hutto said.
Hutto’s work at the airport is evidenced in the advancements it has made since Hutto became director in 2001, according to Auburn University Provost Timothy Boosinger.
“Dr. Hutto has not only done a great job at managing the airport and leading some really significant changes there and improvements, but he’s also working with us on the academic side,” Boosinger said. “He’s always very humble. He realizes that he’s part of a team, and his ability to lead that team is really what’s most important.”
More than $40 million worth of work has been put into the airport over the last 13 years, Hutto said, with the shining achievement being the new terminal building that opened in 2010. Hutto also noted the new hangars, instrument landing system and new aviation education facility that will break ground this month.
Though it has continued to grow, Hutto added that they have maintained a seven-person staff over the years with little turnover.
“We have a much more advanced airport and academic programs connected to the airport than most of our peers. Not the biggest, but we are growing,” Boosinger said. “I’m real proud of all that Bill has done and the leadership he has provided.”