The Golden Triangle Regional (GTR) Airport celebrated its 50th Anniversary, in part, by dedicating the newest wing of the terminal to the sole remaining airport founder, Stuart Vance of Starkville.
The Stuart P. Vance Wing of the terminal was dedicated on Dec. 3 during the celebratory event. On hand to dedicate the wing was Senator Roger Wicker.
“These founders of the airport were like the early visionaries of our country,” said Wicker. “They had the foresight to see what their community needed and then went out and got it.”
Also on hand were the entire GTR Airport Authority Board, Delta Air Lines Senior Vice President for Customer Care and Cargo Eric Phillips and airport Executive Director Mike Hainsey.
“Stuart Vance has served this airport and his community for more than 50 years,” said Hainsey. “The Airport Board wanted to recognize him for his outstanding contributions to helping make our communities better places in which to live, work and travel.”
Stuart Vance is a native of Memphis, Tennessee, and is a graduate of Mississippi State University and the Program for Management Development at the Harvard Business School. He was co-founder of Arnold Industries, Inc., of Starkville, an early innovator in Northeast Mississippi. Vance has always been extremely active in the community, serving first as President of the Starkville Rotary Club and then as District Governor. He is the recipient of the Rotary International “Service Above Self Award” for his fundraising activities for survivors of Hurricane Katrina. He is also a noted author, with his book Aviation in the Golden Triangle a popular addition to libraries in the area.
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