DOTD announces annual airport award winners
Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 1:29:44 PM
Baton Rouge – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announces the winners of the Louisiana Airport of the Year, David Slayter Memorial Louisiana Aviation Professional of the Year, and the Allen R. Taylor Legacy Award awards. The awards were presented at the 2022 Louisiana Airport Managers and Associates Annual Conference held at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Lafayette.
“On behalf of the entire department, I would like to congratulate the award winners,” said DOTD Secretary Shawn D. Wilson, Ph.D. “DOTD encompasses much more than roads and bridges, we are in the business of mobility and their work is a testament. The multimodal aspect of our business, in the case of aviation, is major component that impacts communities across Louisiana. For our citizens, businesses, annd visitors, air travel is obviously an important part of our economy.”
The award winners are as follows:
· Commercial Service Airport of the Year – Lafayette Regional Airport
· General Aviation Airport of the Year – Natchitoches Regional Airport
· David Slayter Memorial Louisiana Aviation Professional of the Year Award – Steven Picou, Lafayette Regional Airport
· David Slayter Memorial Louisiana Aviation Professional of the Year Award – Tonjia Summerell, DOTD
· Allen R. Taylor Legacy Award – Yvonne Chenevert, False River Regional Airport
“Congratulations to Steven Picou and Tonjia Summerell on their selection as Aviation Professionals of the Year, the Lafayette Regional Airport and Natchitoches Regional Airport, for being selected for the airport of the year awards, and Yvonne Chenevert, for being selected for the Allen R. Taylor Legacy Award,” said DOTD Commissioner of Multimodal Commerce Renee A. Lapeyrolerie. “We’re thrilled to recognize excellence in aviation, and we’re proud to have these winners represent that mode of transportation in our state.”
The awards recognize the hardworking airport sponsors and aviation professionals in Louisiana, and the inaugural Louisiana Airport of the Year and Aviation Professional of the Year awards recognize superior achievement and leadership in the state’s aviation field. These awards honor excellence and professionalism at all levels of airport operations.
To be considered eligible for the Airport of the Year award, an airport must have managed all maintenance inspection issues, managed all significant safety-related features and made a significant impact on aviation through safety improvements/practices, construction, development or management of aviation resources.