Chapter Organization » Officers
President
Torrance Richardson, A.A.E. 
Fort Wayne International Airport
Terminal Bldg. Rm. 209
Fort Wayne, IN 46809-3194
260-747-4146 (p)
260-747-1762 (f)
Torrance A. Richardson has served the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority since January 2004. Prior to coming to Fort Wayne, Mr. Richardson was the Airport Executive Director of the Rapid City Regional Airport in Rapid City, South Dakota. Prior to his work in South Dakota, Mr. Richardson was an Airport Operations Officer at the Dubuque Regional Airport in Dubuque, Iowa.
Throughout is 15-year aviation career, Mr. Richardson has built his knowledge of aviation by working in many facets of the industry, holding various positions with: Fixed Base Operations, American Airlines, National Weather Service – Aviation Weather Reporting, Airport Operations, Airport Maintenance, Airport Management, and Aircraft Rescue & Fire Fighting.
Mr. Richardson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Management from the University of Dubuque. He began the Masters of Business Administration (MBA) program at the University of South Dakota and his currently researching his transfer options.
While in Rapid City, Mr. Richardson served on the Board of Directors for Black Hills Central Reservations as well as the Rapid City Convention & Visitors Bureau. Currently, Mr. Richardson serves on the Community Service Council, the Board of Directors for the United Way of Allen County, the Board of Directors for the Fort Wayne/Allen County Convention & Visitors Bureau, and is a graduate of Leadership Fort Wayne, Class of 2005.
1st Vice President
Phillip E. Johnson, A.A.E.
Gerald R. Ford International Airport
5500 44th St. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49512-4088
616.233.6050 (p)
616.233.6025 (f)
Phillip E. Johnson is the Deputy Aeronautics Director for the Kent County Department of Aeronautics, Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA), a position he has held since October 1994. He is responsible for directing the day-to-day operations of the airport through four functional directors and their support staff. Prior to joining the team at GFIA, Mr. Johnson held positions in airport operations at airports in Long Beach and Los Angeles, California.
Mr. Johnson has over twenty-nine years of experience in various fields of aviation including airport management, systems engineering of defense and air traffic control systems, air traffic control, and managing aircraft line service functions.
Mr. Johnson holds a Master of Science degree in Systems Management from the University of Southern California, a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Azusa Pacific University, and an Associate of Science degree in Air Traffic Management from Mount San Antonio College.
Mr. Johnson is a current pilot holding a commercial pilot license with instrument and multi-engine ratings. He has been flying for 31 years and has owned three aircraft during that period.
Mr. Johnson has served the Great Lakes Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives (GL-AAAE) as the Michigan representative on the Executive Committee from 2004 – 2006. He also chaired of the National Air Service Conference for 2005 and 2006. Mr. Johnson currently serves on two AAAE committees, the Academic Relations Committee and the Airline Economics and Air Service Committee. Mr. Johnson held positions on the board for the Michigan Association of Airport Executives (MAAE), serving as its President for 2002/2003.
2nd Vice President
John G. Coon, A. A. E.
Blue Grass Airport
4000 Terminal Dr. Suite 206
Lexington, KY 40510-9645
859.425.3100 (p)
859.233.1822
John Coon has served as Blue Grass Airport's Director of Operations since 1999. He is responsible for all airport security, public safety, maintenance and operations and manages a team of 64 employees. Through his vision and dedication, Mr. Coon has helped establish Lexington’s Blue Grass Airport as a national model among medium/small airports.
Prior to his position at Blue Grass Airport, Mr. Coon served as Airport Manager for Wexford County Airport in Cadillac, Michigan and the Assistant Airport Director for Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Coon has earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Management from Western Michigan University and is an accredited member of AAAE. He is an active member in the aviation community.
Executive Director, Secretary, Treasurer
Kenneth R. Newstrom
Great Lakes Chapter AAAE
P.O. Box 541209
Lake Worth, FL
33454-1209
561-439-6160 (p)
561-439-6161 (f)
Born in Chicago, IL October 19, 1935. Attended high schools in the northwest suburbs of Chicago.
Graduate of the University of Illinois, Institute of Aviation, 1955. Mechanic for Midway Airlines 1956. Flight Instructor University of Illinois 1955-58. BA degree University of Illinois 1959. Seaplane charter pilot Mesaba Aviation 1959-60. Served in U.S. Army 1960-63 in U.S. and Europe, 1 Lt., Medical Service Corp. Joined The Ohio State University Dept. of Aviation 1963. Served as flight instructor and Manager of Airport Services. Became Assistant Director of The Ohio State University Airport, 1966. Became Director of The Ohio State University Airport 1983 and served in that capacity until retirement December 31, 1998. Became Executive Director/Secretary Treasurer of the Great Lakes Chapter- AAAE, 12/1998. Had served as Secretary Treasurer of the Chapter since 1972 in association with airport duties.
President, Ohio Airport Managers Association 1980.
Licensed Aircraft and Power-Plant mechanic.
Commercial Pilot, Instrument Rated, Single/Multi Engine Land and Single Engine Sea.
Served as an Officer and/or Executive Committee Member of the Great Lakes Chapter-A.A.A.E. since it?s formation in 1968. Charter member.
Married to Gerda 1963. Has two sons, James, who resides in Ft. Lauderdale, FL and Jeffrey, who resides in Atlanta, GA.
