Staffing
The Aeronautics office has a dynamic group of new hires bringing fresh talent and expertise to the administrative, operations, and development teams. The following individuals have recently joined:
- Angel Vang, administrative specialist
- Dmitry Foster, av rep
- Nate Williams, av rep
- Rob Mason, av rep
- Joe Block, AAM program administrator
- Hans Engstrom, North Region assistant in Airport Development, joining Aeronautics through a work-out-of-class opportunity.
- Travis Haskell, Central Region assistant in Airport Development, joining Aeronautics for a work-out-of-class opportunity.
Airport development news
- Dan Boerner has officially retired from the Central Region engineer position as of April 3, 2024. All Central Region queries can be sent to Arika Johnson in the interim.
- SFY25 state-only project awards will be announced on the Aeronautics website by June 30, 2024.
Upcoming aviation events
- MnDOT Aeronautics will be attending the annual EAA Airventure July 22–28, in Hangar C booth 3078 and 3079. Minnesota airport staff are invited to volunteer at the MnDOT booth to promote your airport; contact Darlene Dahlseide for more information at [email protected].
- National Aviation Day falls on Monday, August 19. As part of the day's commemorative activities, Aeronautics will be actively promoting the Fly Mn Passport program and promoting airport visits. Please make sure the passport stamp is still in working order and inform Aeronautics if it needs to be replaced.
- Are you hosting a fly-in this summer? Aeronautics wants to hear all about it! Share your event details and they’ll be showcased on MnDOT Aeronautics’ website.
Training grants available for aircraft maintenance technicians
Minnesota Dual-Training Pipeline grants are available from the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. Dual-training programs provide structured on-the-job training and related instruction. Information can be found on the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry website.
Fillmore County Airport A/D opening
On May 10, the Fillmore County Airport’s arrival-departure building was officially inaugurated, marking a significant milestone. This achievement was made possible through collaborative efforts involving Fillmore County, the City of Preston, the FAA, consultant SEH, and MnDOT Aeronautics. During the building’s dedication, Arika Johnson, representing MnDOT Aeronautics, noted its crucial role in enhancing services at Fillmore County Airport. In addition, Johnson highlighted its contribution to elevating safety standards for aviation across Minnesota, thus ensuring the sustainability of the state's broader aviation infrastructure in the long run.
