‘Dynamic Young Leader’ To Manage Our Airport

Whitsunday Regional Council has announced Ben Jones as the newly appointed General Manager of the Whitsunday Coast Airport.

Council CEO, Barry Omundson, welcomed Mr Jones to his new role and said he was “recognised as one of the new generation of dynamic young leaders emerging in Australian aviation”.

“While I believe that any of the final four shortlisted candidates could have done the job admirably, Ben stood out as a strong public sector leader with a transformational and consultative approach – traits that are highly desirable for this council moving forward,” he said.

“The mayor and councillors and this council are strongly committed to growing and developing the Whitsunday Coast Airport and our Bowen and Collinsville aerodromes, and we want to realise the airport’s potential for supporting and enabling economic growth in our region.

“Since joining the Maranoa Regional Council at the height of the resources boom, Ben has managed the Roma Airport, which is one of the busiest airports in regional Australia, as well as the Injune, Surat and Mitchell airstrips, and we are confident that he has the experience, energy and ability to take the Whitsunday Coast Airport to new heights.”

Mr Jones said he was excited to start his new role at Whitsunday Coast Airport, which is powering along with 22% growth and a possibility of international operations sometime in the future.

Mr Omundson said Mr Jones would oversee operations at the aerodromes and would be responsible for implementing the Whitsunday Coast Airport Master Plan.

This would positively affect the tourism, agriculture and resources sectors and capitalise on the emerging aviation, transport and logistics industries, he said.

Mr Jones will start his new role on August 1 and until then, Glenn Robinson, who was engaged by Council in an acting capacity in April 2016, will continue to oversee the Whitsunday Coast Airport.

SOURCE: WHITSUNDAY TIMES