Jeff Bourk, executive director of the Branson Airport, has a lot of work to do before the new airport takes flight in May 2009. It will be the first fully privatized commercial airport in the United States, officials say.
"It's a huge challenge, but it's the schedule that is the most challenging," says Bourk, fresh off announcing AirTran as the airport's first carrier and Enterprise Rent-a-Car for car rental services. "Twenty-two months to build an entire airport terminal, general aviation facilities, car rental facilities and developing air services is a relatively short amount of time."
Branson Airport currently employs seven, and that number will rise to 50 by April. Some of Bourk's day-to-day responsibilities include hiring that staff and developing an employee benefits package. He also oversees airport construction and assists with bringing in associated businesses such as a rental car company and a national restaurant chain. Information technologies for airline ticketing, flight information and access control systems are all on Bourk's radar, too.
A native of Manchester, N.H., Bourk's father was a corporate pilot, so Jeff spent a lot of time flying around the country while growing up. He flew solo at age 16 and received his pilot's license at age 17.
Before joining Branson Airport, Bourk was deputy airport director at Portland International Jetport in Maine, where he managed a staff of 90 responsible for all airport management functions, and was Portland International's key executive for attracting new air service. While in Maine, Bourk and wife Michele, who is a corporate pilot, also owned a fixed base of operations. FBOs are airport facilities that typically include fueling stations, radio operations and pilot amenities such as restaurants, lounges and Internet access.
"Portland is one of the fastest-growing airports in the country," Bourk says.
Bourk is a graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Fla. He is accredited by the American Association of Airport Executives.
Bourk says the executive team is talking to all the low-fare carriers about bringing service to the Ozarks.
"Branson as a destination has an estimated 8.4 million people coming here from all over the country," Bourk says. "For the most part, it's a destination for vacationers in the Midwest, and we think we can help expand that."[[In-content Ad]]
