"Lake Havasu airport manager has long aviation history"

["Stephen Irwin" <stepheni@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Sunday, May 6, 2007

Airport manager has long aviation history
BY MICHAEL HAYS
The Lake Havasu City (AZ) News-Herald


Born a mile from the runway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and a
pilot of his own Cessna 172, Lake Havasu City's newest airport manager has a
deep aviation background.

Steve Johnston's job as the municipal airport manager began April 9. He
replaces Ted Swendra, who retired after 16 years of service.

Johnston most recently worked as airport director at Marina Municipal
Airport near Monterey, Calif. His experience also includes eight years as
operations manager at Arlington Municipal Airport in Washington state and a
stint dealing with noise abatement at Sea-Tac International.

In his short time in town, Johnston said he has been surprised by the
closeness of the community and the friendliness of neighbors.

"Havasu has a lot going for it," he said of future growth.

He recently sat down for an interview.

Today's News-Herald: What do you like the most about Lake Havasu City so
far?

Johnston: "I'm impressed by the dynamic nature and high quality of life in
the city. I see it in the development and growth here in many different
areas like the new shopping center, additional planned educational
development, plans for a second bridge here ... continued resort and
residential development, too. The recreational opportunities, people and
vistas are great and the sunset's world class, too."

TNH: Were you prepared for Mesa Airlines' departure announcement? Do you
think commercial passenger air service can be a part of the airport in the
near future?

NOTE: Mesa announced in April that its last day for providing commercial
service in Havasu would be today.

Johnston: "I have found that in my time in the airport industry that you
have to be flexible. The Mesa Airlines announcement was a disappointment.
Given the growth of the community and the focus on tourism, development and
other growth opportunities here, I believe that passenger air service will
be a part of the airport's future."

TNH: How soon?

Johnston: "At this point, I couldn't answer that adequately."

TNH: Given the challenges of providing commercial service to rural areas,
what do you see LHC Municipal Airport's niche being now and also in the next
10 years?

Johnston: "You look at highway 95 and the airport, do they drive economic
development? No, but they are a piece of it ... a piece of the greater
whole.

With only a few weeks here, my crystal ball is somewhat hazy. We're on the
verge of starting the Airport Master Plan. As part of that process, some of
those delineations and mileposts will become clear. In a short time here (16
years since the airport moved from the Island to 95), growth has been
unbelievably rapid in airport geological timelines."

TNH: The V.P. of the Lake Havasu Convention and Visitors Bureau, Jarrod
Lyman, characterized this town as a "drive-in destination" with a focus on
boats, RVs and cars. Where do planes fit in?

Johnston: "That is an interesting observation. Part of the element for
driving versus flying, there's more to it. It takes a focus and takes some
money, but if you go that route, your world shrinks drastically."

TNH: What are some of your hobbies?

Johnston: "Much like my family before me, I enjoy exploring the nation via
the Cessna. I enjoy the study of history and collect photos of aircraft from
between World War I to World War II time periods. In the past, I have also
owned my own aviation art business, produced aviation illustrations and been
an amateur aviation photographer. When time permits, my wife, Dianne, and I
enjoy traveling to Europe and Canada."

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