November 2022 - DOTD Aviation Update
November 2, 2022
Airport sponsors, managers, and industry stakeholders,
Although the flight has ended, we will always have the memories of the Louisiana Airport Managers and Associates conference held in Lafayette. The Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development’s Aviation office would like to say a big thank you to the LFT-based crew that provided a smooth trip. There was great attendance and much information shared amongst all attendees. Although Lake Charles Regional diverted off course for the costume contest win, we have no doubt there will be a straight-in approach next year.
Unfortunately, the rumors are true. Our Heidi Higginbotham, aviation operations program supervisor, is headed to the federal side of government. Please help me congratulate her on her new position with the FAA’s LA/NM Airport Development Office as a program manager. The good news is she will still be applying her talents to Louisiana airports. Her last day in the office will be November 4th. Please reach out and wish her good luck in her future endeavors.
We may be losing a tremendous talent on our compliance and operations side of the house; our development team will be gaining a program manager with a tremendous amount of aviation experience. Please welcome David Decou to our Aviation office. David is a retired Air Force veteran who worked to develop infrastructure, manpower, and funding requirements for deployed airfield/emergency management teams. He brings knowledge of emergency response from his position as an air logistics subject matter expert for FEMA and the New Orleans International Airport hurricane evacuation team. His seven years with Bristow has brought safety to the forefront, and he will contribute that objective to the overall goal of safety prioritized by the Aviation Division. Our office looks forward to David starting on November 14th. Our office will be introducing him to the Louisiana Airport System in the weeks to follow.
Finally, congratulations again to those recognized by awards through the annual DOTD Airport Award program. Please find additional information on the award winners on our website at http://wwwapps.dotd.la.gov/administration/announcements/Announcement.aspx?key=31345.
Respectfully,
The DOTD Aviation Team
