Diannae Ehler, Stewart International Airport”™s first general manager under the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey”™s tenure, will fly off to a new job ”“ this time, as PANY/NJ”™s bridges, tunnels and terminals assistant deputy director.
Rockland resident Ehler has been with the agency in various capacities for 27 years and took on the job of managing Stewart when its numbers were booming ”“ then managed to see it through the pre- and post-recession era, making needed improvements and building a relationship with the Hudson Valley community in the process.
“She will be missed,” said Charles North, president of the Dutchess County Chamber of Commerce, when she spoke at its monthly breakfast at The Poughkeepsie Grand July 20.
When the region”™s business leaders learned the PANY/NJ would take over the remainder of National Express”™s 99 year lease and renovate the airport, one concern was the community would be lost in transition.
“That did not happen,” said North, “In fact, Diannae asked for advice, asked us to help guide her through what we thought would be a challenging time. Diannae turned around and made it a fun time. She has made Stewart so that it will continue to be recognized in the future as a common name. Many of our Stewart partners sit on our local boards.”
Ehler, a civil engineer, walked into Stewart when it was in full throttle: a half-dozen airlines and predictions that passenger travel would hit the million mark by 2008. Then the Great Recession turned her tasks to keeping airlines on board and making the necessary infrastructure improvements that had been neglected for so long.
Since 2007, Stewart International has:
· Invested more than $50 million in capital improvements, with $26.5 million going to local Hudson Valley contractors;
· Brokered a partnership with the state police to continue law enforcement services at the airport by building a new $10 million crime lab to replace the existing one ”“ in exchange for 10 years of security at the airport;
· In partnership with the New York State Power Authority, brokered a deal with Taylor Biomass L.L.C. to buy the 20.2 megawatts the plant, when built, will generate;
· Created an Air Service Development Office at Stewart, where local vendors can list their businesses and services for use by airlines;
· Created and enhanced its Community Advisory Panel, which meets four times a year with the agency;
· Has construction plans for projects at the airport available in New Windsor that will eliminate the need to travel to Newark;
· Plans to ask the Port Authority for approval to rebuild the terminal ”“ a former parachute packaging plant ”“ into a full-service terminal that will include a permanent space for U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, which used an interim facility to accommodate Apple Tours”™ 10-week Mexican charter in 2011 ”“ an aid in attracting international flights and charters;
· Jet Blue has added an additional flight to Orlando; and
· Cargo tonnage was 7,500 for the first six months of 2011, a 37 percent increase over the first half of 2010 and is expected to increase.
“The past four years have not been easy,” admitted Ehler. “It”™s required tens of millions in improvements and working to identify profitable routes for airlines so they will consider Stewart.” Currently, Stewart is asking the Port Authority to approve construction of a new terminal.
While she acknowledged many want direct flights, she said flying out of Stewart and transferring in Atlanta could have significant cost savings ”“ and would also help grow the airport regionally. One breakfast guest let Ehler know that relatives”™ plans to fly into Stewart and rent a car, with the intention of returning to Florida and dropping off the car at a metro airport, would cost them an extra $250. Ehler said she would look into it to see if that could be changed.
Another asked if there were plans to build a bar and restaurant in the new terminal. “That has been our No. 1 complaint,” said Ehler. Whether there will a traditional bar/restaurant incorporated into the proposed new terminal is up to the Port Authority.
Ehler, who visited the  Rockland Business Association”™s luncheon  the following day, told Dutchess chamber members, “The Port Authority excels at creating strong regional airports. It saw Stewart had ”˜good bones”™ ”“ the longest runway in the Northeast and four times the land mass of LaGuardia. There is so much potential. It is committed to building a strong regional airport for the Hudson Valley. That commitment will not change.”
No replacement for Ehler had been announced at press time.
