Fayetteville airport director receives high honor
By Staff Report, posted May 25, 2022 on BizFayetteville.com
DR. TONEY COLEMAN, director of the Fayetteville Regional Airport, has been honored with the 2022 Willard G. Plentl Aviation Professional of the Year Award from the North Carolina Airports Association (NCAA).
The award is bestowed upon those in the aviation profession who “[emulate the dedication and leadership of Willard Plentl, who worked in the industry for more than 50 years,” a press release said.
Recipients of the award must be nominated and selected by a committee. People who are selected must embody leadership and “commitment to aviation and community involvement.”
Coleman relates to Plentl through a shared life philosophy drawn from Biblical scriptures in Isaiah 40:31 and Philippians 4:13. He shared, “William G. Plentl Jr and I shared that philosophy, and I am truly humbled and honored to receive an award that bears his name and links to his professional legacy.”
“Our Airport has become one of the finest in the southeast thanks to Toney’s steady leadership and influence,” said Doug Hewett, City Manager. “This well-deserved recognition signifies his passion for aviation, his dedication to impact and his commitment to exceptional leadership. I am proud he has chosen to make a difference here in the Fayetteville community and look forward to what he will accomplish in the future.”
Coleman served in the United States Army for 25 years as an Active Duty and Army Reserves Officer, earning numerous commendations for exemplary service including two bronze stars.
At a young age, Coleman saved his money to take flight lessons. He now holds a commercial pilots license with instrument ratings in helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Winston Salem State University, a master’s degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a doctoral degree from Northcentral University.
In 2006, Coleman earned his Accredited Airport Executive Certification while holding the position of Deputy Airport Director at FAY, which he began in 1993. In August 2020, Coleman became the Airport Director following the retirement of Bradley Whited.
In two years’ time, “Coleman has shepherded major success at FAY with more than $55 million in renovations and infrastructure upgrades and responsiveness to a global pandemic ravaging the travel industry. FAY was one of the only regional airports to see growth during the pandemic by adding a direct flight to Dallas-Fort Worth and being one of the fastest to rebound in terms of enplanements. During 2021, passenger traffic increased 62% over the prior year topping 345,000 passengers,” the press release reported.
Additionally, when Pope Army Airfield underwent $81M in repairs and upgrades, Coleman worked closely with Fort Bragg to help facilitate the relocation of the United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) aircraft to FAY.
Coleman has served on the NCAA board, the Southeast Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives, and the National AAAE Board.
While serving on the National AAAE Board, he chaired the Diversity Committee, the National Airports Conference, and the Finance & Administration Conference. Today, he serves on the AAAE Ethics Committee.
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