Rachel Wood
Deputy Director of Marketing & Air Service Development
Branson Airport
Date of Birth: 8/13/1975
Years in Aviation: 5
Rachel Wood may be a relative “new comer” to the aviation industry, but her enthusiasm and eagerness to learn have been a strong component of her success. She has worked diligently with various departments and businesses within the airport to obtain an in-depth understanding of all airport functions.
When an opportunity became available at Branson Airport, Wood leapt at the chance to be a part of it. “I was excited about getting involved in the project of opening the first fully privatized airport in the U.S. I knew this would have a tremendous economic impact on the community which I love and was excited to get involved,” she says.
The Branson Airport opened on May 11, 2009, as the first fully privatized airport in the United States and the first non-replacement commercial service airport built in more than 40 years. Her job initially was to oversee all accounting and finance processes, assist in development of all businesses, and get the airport processes ready for operation. Today, she is the deputy director of Marketing and Air Service Development and vice president of FlyBranson Travel responsible for the continued development of: Branson Airport, FlyBranson Travel; a full service travel agency, Branson JetCenter; a fixed-based operation, and Branson AirExpress; a scheduled public charter operation. In just 4 ½ years of operations, the Branson Airport is the 200th largest commercial service airport in the country. In addition to its rapid growth, Southwest Airlines began service in March of this year.
Wood believes it is important to develop strong relationships and partner with the community to accomplish common goals. She is an active member in her hometown having served on the Board of Directors of the Branson Chamber of Commerce and CVB, Branson Lakes Area Lodging Association, Branson Chamber District Marketing Council, Boys and Girls Club of the Ozarks, and various other committees for non-profit organizations.
Wood received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting with an emphasis in Audit and a Minor in Operations Management from Missouri State University. And her advice to others entering the field is simple: “Never let someone tell you that something isn’t possible,” she says. “A person can do anything they set their mind to if they work hard and never give up on their goals and dreams.”
