CONTACTS:
Dan Mann, Airport Director, 362-3131 or
Pam Hinman, Director of Marketing & Communications, 286-5719
Airport Article in City Revealed Magazine
This article appeared in the Dec - 2006 edition of City Revealed Magazine
Dan Mann has been called impatient by some.
“I want to see some dirt flying,” he says, raising his fist in a mock desk-pounding gesture.
Yes, Dan Mann has been called impatient. But, it’s always meant as a compliment.
Mann, 41, came to The Eastern Iowa Airport a little more than a year ago. The small hub airport set among farm fields just outside Cedar Rapids, Iowa is quite different than his last place of employment – Natrona County International Airport in Casper, Wyoming. Casper has 10 daily flights and is served by three airlines. Cedar Rapids has 45 daily flights and is served by five airlines.
“It is bigger, but the basics of operating an airport really are the same, no matter what size of the facility,” Mann said.
The real difference Mann found was that while he had honed an aggressive, go-get ‘em style in courting the airlines, tenants and community stakeholders, TEIA had a much quieter philosophy. The Airport, ranked in the top 115 airports for total passengers, didn’t like to shine a spotlight on itself. It was a great Airport that wanted its service and facility to speak for itself.
“We need to help people understand that an airport is a key driver in economic development,” he says. “We need to make sure that every person in the area realizes that when they fly out of another airport, that makes our job of enhancing air service that much more difficult. We all have the same goal, and we must work as a team to make that happen.”
It’s a welcome change, one Iowa City leader says. Nancy Quellhorst, President and CEO, Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, says Mann’s personable, down-to-earth style has made a good impression on the community.
“Iowa City area residents are regular patrons of The Eastern Iowa Airport and we are pleased to have a voice in airport planning and operations. Dan continuously seeks our guidance on ways to make the airport more efficient for our community.”
Those in Cedar Rapids have also noticed a change in mind-set, with people seeing a focus on customer service. People know the Airport is trying to make everyone’s flying experience more enjoyable.
First on the list is air service improvements, which were abundant in the past year. Delta Connection carrier Atlantic Southeast Airlines introduced service to Atlanta, Allegiant Airlines began service to Orlando and increased its Las Vegas service to six nights a week; and AmericanConnection upgraded equipment on its St. Louis service to regional jets. All those improvements contributed to a total passenger count of more than 1 million in 2005, breaking a previous record.
Other enhancements include bags at the checkpoint to place loose items in the X-ray bin, paper booties to protect one’s stocking feet while walking through security, and free Wi-Fi access, to name just a few.
Much of the $90 million capital improvement projects also focus on the customer. Two significant projects are, expanding the B Concourse and a covered walkway in the parking lot to help direct people and protect them from the Iowa elements.
Tim Kintner, chairman of the Cedar Rapids Airport Commission, was a member of the airport director search committee. He says there is no question they chose the best person for the job.
“Dan has just been a very positive force, not only for the Airport, but for the entire Corridor,” Kintner says. “We have always enjoyed good, stable air service, but Dan has been implementing the actions needed to take the Airport to the very top among our airport peers across the country.”
A fellow Commissioner, Helen B. Arnold, who also served on the search committee, says Mann’s style has been refreshing.
"He has so much drive and he has so many great ideas, he want to
get it all done right NOW," she says with a laugh. "His energy is
exciting, and he has the full support of the Commissioners."