SPRINGBROOK - Red Deer Airport has a new chief executive officer.
Graham Ingham, 48, was recently appointed to the position by the Red Deer Regional Airport Authority board of directors, after former CEO RJ Steenstra stepped down earlier this year.
"I am really excited about the opportunities (with) the airport, the county and the city that lie ahead of us,” said Ingham. “I was looking to get back into more of an aviation role and this opportunity came up. I thought it would be a perfect fit for both of us."
A licensed airline transport pilot with more than 14,000 hours flight experience, Ingham brings over 25 years of aviation and business management experience to his new role at Red Deer Airport.
He has worked in all levels of senior management within airline companies and has held several positions. They include director of flight operations, manager of flight training and emergency response director, and most recently, senior product management and sales specialist with FLYHT Aerospace Solutions, an aviation software company in Calgary.
“We are certainly pleased to bring Graham on board at such a critical time in the airport's continued development,” says Dave Minhas, chair of the Red Deer Regional Airport Board. “Graham brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in both the aviation and business sector and we are confident he will lead us into the future development of the airport and region.”
Ingham began his new job Oct. 31. He is thrilled to be a part of such an exciting time at Red Deer Airport.
"It's been a great week. One of the primary reasons I was attracted to this job was because of the community and the people here," he said. "They take a lot of pride in the airport itself so it's been a very easy transition."
Ingham noted his long-term goals include helping grow the business.
“It's very strategically located here. There's great opportunities ahead of us,” said Ingham. “We're expanding the length of the runway. In 2018 we'll be building a new terminal and really (pursuing) the low cost carrier type of operators.”
Part of that vision is looking beyond Alberta's borders.
"We're looking at Toronto, we're looking at Vancouver, Kelowna, south of the border to Las Vegas and those types of (places)," said Ingham. "We have a really good idea of where the people want to go."
He noted Red Deer Airport is well positioned for continued success, emphasizing its “fantastic” location and low cost structure.
"For airlines in the low cost carrier business that's crucial in order for them to be successful," he added, noting the importance of servicing the region but also attracting business from Alberta's larger cities.
"It's not only looking after the people here but it's also attracting new business from those two major cities (Edmonton and Calgary)."
And while this is Ingham's first time as a CEO in his career, he said it is a role he is more than ready to take on.
"It's all about leadership, about making sure that the vision and the mission statements, the goals and objectives are all aligned," said Ingham. "We're a big team here and I'm a big advocator of teamwork. There's a lot of passion from everyone at the Red Deer Airport."
Graham Ingham, CEO of Red Deer Airport
"Red Deer Airport has a fantastic location and has a low cost structure. For airlines in the low cost carrier business that's crucial in order for them to be successful."
