GMU Operations Manager Receives Certified Member Designation

Joe Frasher(L), Greenville Downtown Airport Director, presents Ken Koch Jr.(R), Operations Manager, with the Certified Member certificate earned from the American Association of Airport Executives on May 12, 2022. The C.M. is a comprehensive program covering all the primary functions and regulations governing an airport.   Photo taken by Robert Hoover, Director of Public Relations at the Greenville Downtown Airport.

Joe Frasher(L), Greenville Downtown Airport Director, presents Ken Koch Jr.(R), Operations Manager, with the Certified Member certificate earned from the American Association of Airport Executives on May 12, 2022. The C.M. is a comprehensive program covering all the primary functions and regulations governing an airport. Photo taken by Robert Hoover, Director of Public Relations at the Greenville Downtown Airport.

GREENVILLE, SC- Kenneth Koch, Jr., the Operations Manager for the Greenville Downtown Airport (GMU), earned the Certified Member (C.M.) designation of the American Association of Airport Executives (A.A.A.E.). Ken was presented the certificate by Joe Frasher, the Airport Director, on May 12, 2022. Earning the CM puts Ken in a close-knit community of airport management professionals and sets him up for further advancement opportunities.

As the operations manager for the busiest general aviation airport in South Carolina, Ken is the most important person on the airfield making sure everything runs smoothly and looks perfect. Ken’s love of aviation started early as a part time operations employee when he was in high school over 12 years ago and continued later as an operations specialist. He took over as the Operations Manager of GMU in 2014.

“I want to be the best version of myself possible and I had great mentor tell me about the training opportunity,” said Koch. “In this constantly shifting environment and all the changing aspects of airport property management, it is good to be prepared for what you don’t know is coming.”

The C.M. is a comprehensive program that has four modules covering a diverse body of knowledge on all the primary functions and regulations of an airport. There is a lot of preparation needed to pass the 180 questions, four-hour long test. It is not easy to study when you are working full time and married with three children. Ken said he has prepared his whole life for this validation of his knowledge.

“We are very proud of Ken because he continually strives to make himself and GMU a better place for our tenants, visitors, and community. When something needs to get done, you can always rely on him,” said Joe Frasher, Greenville Downtown Airport Director.

GMU is the gateway for businesses and is centrally located three miles from the heart of downtown Greenville. The airport is home to over 40 aviation related businesses and tenants creating 547 jobs and contributing over $68.8 million to the Upstate economy. GMU has served our community since 1928 and continues that connection today. Our community corridor is a window for children and families to take in aviation at Runway Park or learn military history at the MHCC museum. More at www.greenvilledowntownairport.com.


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