REGIONAL AIRPORT GROUP ELECTS OFFICERS

March 22, 2000 - The Just in Time Transportation Development Corportation elected officers at its second official meeting this evening in Putnam County. An enthusiastic crowd from West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky voiced support for the construction of a new regional airport in Lincoln County, West Virginia and approved the slate of officers proposed by the Nominating Committee. The officers elected are listed below.

Chairman Ned Jones (photo right) explains the corporation's mission statement and by-laws to the Steering Committee and the actions taken earlier in the evening by the corporation's board of directors.

Office Name Representing
Chairman Ned Jones Cabell County, WV
Vice Chairman James Withrow Putnam County, WV
Vice Chairman Margarette Leach Cabell County, WV
Vice Chairman Mike Newman Wayne County, WV
Secretary Brenda Neville Lawrence County, OH
Assistant Secretary Nathan Wills Putnam County, WV
Treasurer R. N. "Chuck" Young Mason County, WV
Assistant Treasurer Leff Moore Putnam County, WV
Executive Director Shelley Huffman Lincoln County, WV
The Officers and Executive Director also make up the Executive Committee of the Board.

The mission statement, as adopted, is: "To develop good Jobs and global opportunities in central and southwestern West Virginia, eastern Kentucky, and southeastern Ohio by the promotion and development of a first class air, highway, rail and river transportation system that will allow business and people in the region to compete in the world economy. In addition, the corporation may disseminate information and provide research, planning and public education consistent with these purposes."

Jim Purgerson, Executive Director of the Ashland Alliance (in photo at left) held a captive audience as he explained a letter he received a copy of from A. F. Crown, Vice President-Central Region, CSX Transportation, regarding the need for a regional airport and how important it is to West Virginia businesses. [Click here to view a copy of this letter - in .pdf format]

Representatives of business, labor, and elected officials were in attendance at the meeting Wednesday evening at New Horizons Computer Learning Center in Putnam Plaza Shopping Center. One attendee commented that "we'll have to start meeting in an auditorium if the crowd gets any larger." Stephen Haid presented sample logos and letterhead samples to the committee for review. The new logo will be used to develop the advertising and other information used by the board and its steering committee in the coming months as they work to bring the "facts" to light about construction of a new regional airport. New construction jobs, new long-term direct and indirect jobs the potential return on investment provided excitement as the committee discussed its "diverse coalition" working to make the new regional airport a reality.

The Board of Directors of the Just in Time Transportation Development Corporation will meet the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. The next meeting of the steering committee will be held on April 26th at New Horizons.