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Gene Cossey, A.A.E., Named New Executive Director for Tri-Cities Airport Authority

February 1, 2019

Blountville, TN – The Tri-Cities Airport Authority has appointed Gene Cossey as the new Executive Director. Mr. Cossey succeeds Patrick Wilson, who left in
November to lead Knoxville’s McGhee-Tyson Airport. He will begin his new position in mid to late February.

“Gene Cossey is a seasoned airport executive with extensive experience in airport operations and management,” said Dr. Jon Smith, Airport Authority chairman. “We
at the Tri-Cities Airport are extremely excited to have Gene join our airport management team and look forward to his taking the airport to the next level.”
Cossey has been Executive Director of the University of Illinois – Willard Airport since December 2015. He has worked in aviation operations management since he was 19 and has held positions at five airports spanning more than 30 years.

Prior to coming to Willard Airport, Cossey was the Director of Operations at the Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids and the Director of Airside Operations at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. He spent the majority of his career on the Oregon Coast, where he was the Operations Manager and Director of Information Technology at the Southwest Oregon Regional Airport and Airport Director at the Newport Municipal Airport.

“I think the Tri-Cities Airport provides an excellent opportunity to be a part of a community that is vibrant, growing, and incredibly supportive of the asset that it has within its regional airport,” said Mr. Cossey. “I am excited to be a part of the Tri-Cities region and the tremendous collaboration the cities of Johnson City, Kingsport, and Bristol have already made toward a successful airport. I am looking forward to being a part of the community and moving forward with even more growth and development
at the Tri-Cities Airport.”

Mr. Cossey received a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Information Systems Design from Linfield College. He also received a master’s of public administration from the University of Illinois, Springfield. He is an Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) with the American Association of Airport Executives and an International Airport Professional (I.A.P.) with the Airports Council International.

Tri-Cities Airport Authority