Achievers & Accolades

Fayetteville Regional Airport selects new airport director; receives $5M grant for international terminal

By Staff Report, posted 1 year ago

The City of Fayetteville has selected a new Airport Director to lead the regional airport into the next chapter beginning Oct. 2. 

Andrew LaGala, aviation operation and management professional, was selected as the new Fayetteville Regional Airport Director after an exhaustive 11-month search.  

LaGala has over 30 years of experience in the aviation field and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Business Administration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He holds a private pilot’s license and is a member of the American Association of Airport Executives, receiving his professional designation of Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) in 2018. 

“I am excited to have been selected to assume this critical leadership role as airport director of Fayetteville Regional Airport and to contribute to the airport’s continued success and growth,” said LaGala in a press release. “Maintaining an efficient full-service airport with quality airline service is a key element in local economic development efforts, and I see tremendous opportunity for FAY to enhance its potential to contribute to those efforts.” 

LaGala most recently served as the Airport Director for Lynchburg Regional Airport for the last five years. He spearheaded several efforts in that role including a post-COVID development

strategic plan to recover airline flight frequency, rehabilitated the primary runway at Lynchburg Regional Airport and enacting many other airport capital improvement projects. 

“Andrew’s knowledge of both airport operations and air service development will serve the airport well in our future expansion efforts,” shared City Manager Douglas Hewett in a press release. “We've already completed more than $60 million in capital improvements over the last several years, were able to secure two additional flights to Atlanta, received $5 million for an international terminal and will break ground on a consolidated rental car facility shortly.”

Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT

In The Current Issue

A new chapter: Book Black Women Inc. deepens impact with new partnerships and new programming

In just four short years, Book Black Women Inc. has flourished exponentially. New partnerships, serious sponsorships, a new location and putting on an all-original play are just some of the accomplishments on the horizon for Ayana Washington’s creati


Elevating the golf experience: The entrepreneurs behind Chip Shot Golf's ambitious drone delivery vision

Bobby Kulp and Forth Heffner, the entrepreneurs behind Chip Shot Golf, are hoping their drone delivery service can become a household name for golfers who want to experience maximum comfort on demand. Photo provided by Kulp.An entrepreneur and tech w


Editor's note: Celebrating Spring in Fayetteville

Photo by Stephanie MeadorAs the trees and bushes bloom and the weather heats up, I’m enjoying spending more and more time outdoors, walking on trails, dining on patios and even driving with the windows down to soak in the fresh air. I’ve always