Sarah Kerner, general counsel for Springfield-Branson National Airport, was the speaker at SBJ's November edition of 12 People You Need to Know.
Airport counsel handles multitude of issues
Jeremy Elwood
Posted online
In her first year as general counsel for Springfield-Branson National Airport, Sarah Kerner has endured trial by fire.
The 28-year-old, 2004 University of Missouri Law School graduate has handled a wide array of legal matters at the airport, many related to the ongoing construction of the $119 million midfield terminal.
"Luckily, I have a lot of people around me who are very knowledgeable," Kerner said.
Kerner was the featured guest Tuesday at Springfield Business Journal's monthly 12 People You Need to Know breakfast at the Clarion Hotel's Newsroom Café.
In addition to handling the daily legal needs of the airport - a branch of the city with its own budget and revenue sources - Kerner dealt with all the nuances of an airport and a new terminal, from environmental and noise issues to negotiating new leases with existing airline tenants.
She said she realized how much work she had to do, as a one-person legal team, when she went to a national convention and heard a presentation from a consultant who deals with airline leases full time.
"(The speaker) mentioned that airports pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to this company to negotiate these leases," she said. "I said, 'Whoa - maybe I'm over my head a little.' But I don't really have a choice."
And she's happy to answer people's questions about the new terminal, which she said will be a significant upgrade both visually and in amenities - but will not add Southwest Airlines any time in the near future, she adds, answering what she calls one of the most frequently asked questions.
Despite the learning curve, Kerner said she enjoys working for the airport.
"The airport is like a little city," she said. "We have our own fire department, we have our own police department, and we have 80 employees and the personnel issues that go along with that."
The next 12 People You Need to Know breakfast - the final installment of 2008 - will introduce FBI Special Agent Josh Nixon, who primarily investigates financial fraud, on Dec. 16. Event details and registration are available at sbj.net.
The first southwest Missouri location of EarthWise Pet, a national chain of pet supply stores, opened; Grey Oak Investments LLC relocated; and Hot Bowl by Everyday Thai LLC got its start.
