More Runway Advisers

By Jim Carroll, Erie Times-News, Pa.

Feb. 14–Erie International Airport officials shouldn’t have to look hard to find advice.

The Erie Municipal Airport Authority appointed its own four-member advisory committee Thursday, just two weeks after the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership appointed its own four-member business advisory committee to offer advice and keep tabs on the airport’s $80.5 million runway extension project.

All that new attention comes as the airport deals with the loss of its top administrator and its most senior manager, while also preparing to begin the runway extension and bring four new members onto its governing board.

Airport Authority President Louis Porreco, who appointed the members of the authority’s advisory committee, said the idea was to bring in local experts to help the board and administrators on the runway extension project.

“By any measure, this is a great opportunity for the airport. We have four people with credentials in their areas of expertise that are absolutely marvelous. They have expertise in critical fields that are important to the runway project,” Porreco said after a special authority meeting on Wednesday.

Advisory board members are Owen McCormick, chief executive of Joseph McCormick Construction Co.; John Paganie, president of Penelec; Greg Sorce, founding partner in HBK Sorce Financial Group; and George Willis, vice president of Urban Engineers Inc.

McCormick and Sorce, who attended Wednesday’s authority session, said they agreed to volunteer when Porreco asked them to help.

“Lou said he was asking people with expertise that he thought could be of value to the board,” Sorce said.

But the appointees also share something else — support for the 1,920-foot runway extension.

“I see the runway project as critical to the Erie region as we move forward,” McCormick said.

Porreco said the authority’s advisory board has a different function than the chamber’s advisory committee.

The airport’s advisers will be treated virtually like board members; the only thing they will not have is a vote.

Porreco said the chamber committee has a different function — to keep the business community and Erie County Executive Mark DiVecchio apprised of the progress of the runway project.

“We will be happy to have the chamber committee visit and offer their perspective and take back reports,” he said.

And with the changes going on with the airport’s governing board and its administration, some officials welcomed the new advisory board’s expertise.

“They are all very well-qualified,” said Christopher Rodgers, the airport’s interim executive director. “I am pleased with the members of the committee and look forward to their help.”

The airport is still coping with the resignation of Executive Director Kelly Fredericks on Jan. 31, and the retirement of Donald Button, its director of facilities and operations, five days later.

Rodgers reported the airport instituted a temporary hiring freeze until officials figure out how best to restructure its management responsibilities.

Board Vice President Tony Logue said the board will appoint a committee and is gearing up for a search for a new executive director.

Members of the Erie Municipal Airport Authority’s new advisory board are: Owen McCormick, chief executive of Joseph McCormick Construction Co.; John Paganie, Penelec president; Greg Sorce, founding partner in HBK Sorce Financial Group; and George Willis, vice president of Urban Engineers.

Members of the business advisory committee appointed by the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership and Erie County Executive Mark DiVecchio are: Jim Gehrlein, retired area president of National City Bank of Pennsylvania; Monica Brower, chief executive of the Economic Development Corp. of Erie County; Dr. Joseph McClellan, medical director of Hamot Heart Institute and senior vice president of Hamot Health Foundation; and Hoop Roche, chairman of Erie Plastics.

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