Asheville Regional Airport Authority's Website


The Asheville Regional Airport Authority has overall financial and policy-making responsibility for the airport. Three airport authority members are appointed by the Asheville City Council, three by Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, and the seventh is appointed as the At-Large. Authority meetings are held on the second Friday of the month and are open to the public. The meeting agendas are posted to the website on Tuesday before each Board meeting by 5:00 p.m. Letter to Congressman Shuler Current Agenda Special Meetings Board Agendas and Meeting Minutes

Dave Hillier Chairman 47 North Market Street Asheville, NC 28802 828-258-3368 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Appointed by: City of Asheville Term expires: June 2010	A graduate of Duke University, Dave Hillier has been practicing law in Asheville since 1978. He is currently an attorney with the firm of Gum, Hillier and McCroskey, P.A working primarily in the areas of bankruptcy and financial distress. Mr. Hillier served as a member of the Asheville City School Board for eight years, was president of the local (500 + lawyers) Bar Association and is a recipient of the prestigious Centennial Award for Outstanding Community Service from the State of North Carolina Bar Association.

David Gantt Vice Chairman 82 Church Street Asheville, NC 28801 828-252-2852 800-273-4002 Appointed by: Buncombe County Term Expires: June 2012	David Gantt is partner of David Gantt Law Office in Asheville. He currently serves as Chairman of the Buncombe County Commission, where he has been a member for 12 years. Gantt also serves on the Chamber of Commerce Board, NC Employment Security Commission, and NC Chair of Disability Advocates Section of NC Advocates for Justice and Board of Governors for NC Advocates for Justice. Gantt graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a degree in Economics in 1978. He obtained a law degree from Campbell University in 1981 and has practiced accident and disability law in the NC Mountains for the last 28 years. Gantt is married to Charise, a pharmacist in Asheville. The Gantts have 2 children, Brett who will obtain a Masters Degree from NC State in May 2009, and Carrie, who will receive an undergraduate Degree from Duke University in May 2009.

Chuck McGrady Secretary/Treasurer 1 Historic Courthouse Square, Suite 1 Hendersonville, NC 28792 828-697-4808 Fax: 828-692-9855 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Appointed by: At-Large Member Term Expires: June 2012	Chuck McGrady has been a Commissioner in Henderson County since 2004. Spending much of his life in the Southeast, McGrady attended Rhodes College in Tennessee and later received his law degree from Mercer University in Georgia. mcGrady went on to teach law school and work at various law firms before moving to Henderson County in 1992. He currently serves as Director Emeritus for Falling Creek Camp, a summer camp for boys which offers a wide variety of programs including whitewater canoeing, rock climbing, Indian Lore, environmental studies, tennis, soccer, swimming, horseback riding, and mountain biking. Mr. McGrady has also given back to the community through his many civic activities including the Henderson County Board of Social Services, Youth Leadership Program, and Board of Directores for Four Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care. In addition, he was appointed by Goveernor Michael Easley to serve as a Trustee for the Clean Water Management Trust fund as well as serve as a member of the 21st Century Transportation Committee. McGrady is married to Jean Sokol McGrady and has two children.

Jeffrey A. Piccirillo 37 Forest Knoll Drive Weaverville, NC 28787 828-658-1719 Fax: 828-252-6442 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Appointed by: Buncombe County Term Expires: June 2012	Executive Food & Beverage Director of The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, Jeff Piccirillo has more than thirty years experience in the hospitality industry. Through his affiliation with The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, Jeff has had considerable contact with community groups and civic activities, including Eblen Charities, March of Dimes, Habitat for Humanity, and Leadership Asheville. He is currently a member of the North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association’s Projects & Services committee. In addition, Jeff is an active member of the American Culinary Federation and is recognized as a Certified Executive Chef. He has also been recognized as a Certified Food & Beverage Executive with the American Hotel & Lodging Association. Jeff and his wife, Karla, have been members of the Asheville/Buncombe community for over twenty years and are active members of St. Eugene’s Catholic Church. His daughter, Emily, is currently attending Montreat College, and his son, Edward, attends North Buncombe High School.

Susan Fisher 7 Maple Ridge Lane Asheville, NC 28806 828-258-5355 919-715-2015 Appointed by: Buncombe County Term Expires: June 2010	Susan Carscaddon Fisher, an Asheville native, is serving her second term in the state legislature, representing Buncombe County District 114 in the North Carolina House. She began her work in Washington, D.C. for the late Congressman James McClure Clarke. She later became president of the League of Women Voters of Asheville/Buncombe County and later served as Governor Hunt's appointee to the N.C. Council for Women. Susan also served for two four-year terms on the Asheville City Board of Education, becoming chairwoman for her second term. For more than twenty years, Susan has given back to the community by volunteering for various organizations including the League of Women Voters, her church as well as schools and Bele Chere. She served as senior warden of the vestry and is a lay reader and choir member at St. John's Episcopal Church in Haw Creek. Susan holds a B.A. in Audiology and Speech Pathology from the University of Maryland. She is married to John, a self-employed CTA (commodities trading advisor) computer analyst and software designer, and they have two children: Jonathan, a Duke University graduate, currently teaching English in Japan and Alexandra, a senior art and business major at UNC-A.

Rhett Grotzinger 307 Blakewood Court Asheville, NC 28803 Home: 828-681-8641 Cell: 828-458-7163 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Appointed by: City of Asheville Term Expires: June 2010	A native of Texas, Rhett moved to Asheville in 1996. A pilot with more than 4600 hours, he regularly flies his aerobatic plane from its base at AVL. Rhett spent many years in television and radio and currently works in wireless communications in addition to narrating air shows nationwide. He is a member of several aviation groups and has served on the boards of many community organizations.

Brownie Newman 285 Montford Avenue Asheville, NC 28801 828-243-0107 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Appointed by: City of Asheville Term Expires: June 2012	Brownie grew up on a working farm in Pickens, SC. He has a BA in History and Political Science from Warren Wilson College. Newman is currently serving his second term as a member of Asheville City Council. He is a Consultant for FLS Energy. Married to Elizabeth Newman, he has two young children, Tess and Lizzy. His father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and several cousins are pilots.