A national aviation trade magazine has included Columbus Municipal Airport director Brian Payne as one of its Top 40 Under 40 honorees.
Payne, 37, has served as director of the Columbus Municipal Airport since September 2012, leading the airport to win the Aviation Association Of Indiana’s Airport of the Year Award in 2016.
In earlier interviews, Payne has said that one of his goals was for the Columbus airport to be recognized as the top facility in the state as part of showcasing the overall community.
The magazine described the young professionals named among the Top 40 winners as those who are transforming how North America moves. Payne shares the honor with those from much larger markets including Houston, Philadelphia, Memphis, Denver and Tampa.
Educational partnerships have been a big part of Payne’s work locally. In 2015, the airport partnered with Ivy Tech Community College on an aviation flight and management program, allowing students to pursue an Aviation Certificate of Technology. Students are able to earn a private pilot’s license and ground school certification, a foundation necessary for careers in aviation management or commercial flights.
When Payne and his staff won the Airport of the Year award, they took the $1,000 grant that came with the award and donated the money to Aviation Nation, a local after-school program that encourages area high school students to learn how to build an airplane.
The Columbus AirPark serves as the home to IUPUC, Ivy Tech Community College and businesses.
The airport also completed a multi-million dollar student housing complex, The Annex, in 2015. The on-campus housing concept allows students attending any of the institutions at the Columbus Learning Center and AirPark to live “on campus.” It is also open to interns working for local companies.
Also in 2015, the airport completed an $800,000 renovation of the terminal building and its restaurant.
Payne credited three internships — two at the Evansville Regional Airport and another with the Indiana Department of Transportation’s Office of Aviation — that had an impact on him during his career. Since then, he has worked with about 40 interns to help them pursue careers in aviation.
“Every internship I’ve had molded me into the airport manager I am today,” Payne said.
At age 23, Payne became airport manager at the Michigan City Municipal Airport in Michigan City, where the airport received the Aviation Association of Indiana’s Airport of the Year Award in 2007. He also received that honor during his time in French Lick.
More than 65 businesses make their home in the Columbus AirPark, the acreage surrounding the airport on the city’s northside.
Payne credited his staff of four people who have a combined experience of working at eight different airports as the reason for the success at the airport and AirPark.
“We always want to do something better every single day,” he said.
Payne oversaw the construction of six new hangars at the airport that were added in 2017 as part of a $1.4 million project, half of which are already full. The airport has invested in environmental-friendly lighting systems for its tarmac, parking lot, exterior terminal and hangar lighting upgrades.
He also worked with his staff to create an annual Aviation Day, in which local residents are invited to the Columbus airport for airplane and helicopter rides, demonstrations and entertainment each summer, with activities focused on aviation.
Payne, who said he is humbled by the recognition in being named as a winner in the Top 40 Under 40 program, hopes to work on drawing more people and businesses to the area.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Brian Payne ” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Age: 37
Hometown: Rockport
Education: Bachelor’s degree in aviation management from Indiana State University, master’s degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Family: Married to wife Amber; two sons Colby and Dawson
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The award by Airport Business Magazine showcases the top talent and leading thinkers in the aviation industry who are driving success and innovations for future. Candidates for 2018 were vetted on innovation, outstanding attributes and commitment and involvement in the industry.
Winners were selected by members of the Airport Business Magazine staff. Honorees will be featured in the October issue of the magazine and online at aviationpros.com.
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