Eugene B. Conrad III
Airport Director
Lakeland Linder Regional Airport
Eugene Conrad III was born in Oshkosh, WI and grew up around the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), as his father was the airport manager at Wittman Regional Airport from 1975-1987. From early on he knew aviation would be part of his life. Gene graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Aviation Management from the Ohio State University and he is a certified member of the American Association of Airport Executives. Gene’s past experience includes: Air Service Coordinator and Marketing Manager at Dayton International Airport and Wright Brothers Airport in Dayton, Ohio; and Airport Operations Coordinator at Port Columbus International Airport and Bolton Field in Columbus Ohio. Prior to accepting the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport Director position, he was the Deputy Director, Marketing & Air Service Development for Branson Airport, LLC, in Hollister, Missouri. He has over 14 years of aviation management experience. Gene also serves as the Air Show Ground Operations Chairman at the EAA AirVenture Convention at Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Gene is a graduate of Leadership Lakeland Class XXIX, Leadership Polk Class VII and is a board member of the following organizations; Sun ‘n Fun, Central Florida Aerospace Academy Consortium, 2015 Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce and is Chair, CFASSP Statewide Steering Committee. Gene is married to his beautiful wife Amy of 13 years and they have one son, Gunnar.
Top 40 Under 40 Questions
1) Why did you select aviation as a career?
I was born in Oshkosh, WI and grew up around the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), as my father was the airport manager at Wittman Regional Airport from 1975-1987. I pretty much knew from my first memory that aviation was going to always be a part of my life.
2) What advice from a mentor helped you the most in your career?
My father was my mentor as he was an airport director himself for 30 years until his passing in 2005. I remember sitting in his office at Dayton International Airport in 2003 when the local newspaper had done an extensive article on him. In part of the article the writer was referencing his extensive knowledge of the airport and aviation industry and he was quoted saying, “Crush them with knowledge”. I will never forget that quote as it pushes me every day to continuously improve.
3) What is the biggest challenge you see facing aviation today?
The biggest challenge aviation faces today is a lack of understanding and cooperation between government and the industry. We all know that there is a shortage of pilots, air traffic controllers, mechanics and other aviation professionals and we all talk about it as a problem, but what are we collectively doing about it? Aviation is a critical component of the world economy and focus has to be on all aspects of aviation to make it strong, not just the airlines.
4) What advice would you give to others in the industry?
There are always opportunities to learn and better yourself in aviation, as it is ever changing. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try new things. Also, everyone knows everyone in this industry…don’t burn bridges!
5) What are three things we don’t know about you?
- I am not a pilot, and don’t let anyone tell you that in order to be a good airport manager or director you need to be a pilot.
- I met my wife at the EAA Air Academy, an aviation summer camp in Oshkosh, WI, back in 1992.
- My first airplane ride was in the Spirit of St. Louis replica that’s hanging in the EAA Air Museum in Oshkosh, WI.
