Nov. 5, 2004

For more information contact:
Tim McClung
515-239-1689

Eastern Iowa Airport director receives lifetime achievement award

AMES, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Transportation’s Office of Aviation announces Larry Mullendore, director of the Eastern Iowa Airport, received a Lifetime Achievement Award Nov. 4 at the statewide annual Iowa Aviation Conference in West Des Moines.

For the past 15 years, Mullendore has been in charge of daily operations for the  Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids. Airport achievements under Mullendore’s tenure include the following:

• $71 million in capital improvement projects;
• an increase in passenger traffic from a total of 734,159 in 1989 to a high point of one million total passengers in 2000; and
• guiding the airport through the difficult times since Sept. 11, 2001, including maintaining air service with six air carriers providing more than 80 departures and arrivals per day.

The award was presented by Michelle McEnany, director of the Iowa DOT’s Office of Aviation, who said, “Larry has provided a leadership role in enhancing the Eastern Iowa Airport and providing commercial air service to eastern Iowa. His work with air carriers has provided a large number of destination options to the eastern Iowa community and has had a major impact on supporting business and personal travel in the region, as well as helping to promote economic development.”

Since Mullendore took over leadership of the facility in 1989, there have been many changes, including: the airport’s public access; airfield improvements; and terminal improvements to the recently completed new fixed-based operator facility.

Mullendore, a private pilot with multi-engine, instrument and commercial ratings, and a career in aviation spanning more than 37 years, has recently announced his retirement effective June 23, 2005.

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