The Jacksonville Aviation Authority (JAA) is celebrating a record breaking fiscal year.
JAA saw an all-time high passenger count for the fiscal year that ended on September 30.
From October 2018 through August 2019 there were 7,067,882 enplanements and deplanements at Jacksonville International Airport (JAX). That’s a 16.41% increase over the same period the prior fiscal year, according to the JAA.
The news comes as the JAA works on securing design bids to build a new concourse along with doing renovations to accommodate new businesses.
JAA board members are also being elected to new leadership positions.
The board elected Russell Thomas as JAA’s board chairman effective October 1, 2019. He replaces Jay Demetree, who will continue to serve as a board member. Thomas was appointed to the board by Mayor Lenny Curry in 2015. He is the chief executive officer for Availity, a national health care technology company headquartered in Jacksonville.
Other newly elected officers include Patrick Kilbane as vice-chair, Giselle Carson as secretary, and Ray Alfred as treasurer. Kilbane and Carson were appointed to the board by Gov. Rick Scott in 2014, according to JAA. Alfred was appointed to the board by Mayor Alvin Brown in 2014.
“Jay Demetree’s leadership helped us make the most of the tremendous growth JAX experienced this year. We appreciate his continued service on the board and look forward to working with Russell Thomas in his new role as chair,” said Mark VanLoh, chief executive officer for the Jacksonville Aviation Authority in an email to WJCT News.
JAA's Board of Directors is comprised of seven members. Three members are appointed by Jacksonville's mayor. The others are appointed by the governor. Each board member may serve a maximum of two consecutive four-year terms.
Two members, Frank Mackesy and Teresa Davlantes, concluded their second full terms on the board and will continue to serve until Gov. Ron DeSantis appoints their replacement.
