New
technology
means “wireless”
Internet service
for WW regional
airport terminal
Persons
at the Walla Walla Regional Airport terminal now enjoy wireless
Internet access thanks to a joint venture by the Port of Walla
Walla and PocketiNet Communications.
PocketiNet Chairman Todd Brandenburg said
the service will allow anyone with a wireless laptop or PDA
to connect to the Internet at no cost, without phone line
or wall jack, from anywhere in the terminal building.
Brandenburg continued, “We believe
that it further distinguishes the airport and the Walla Walla
Valley as a progressive community and leader in customer service.
It’s going to make the airport a more desirable location.”
Port Commission Vice President Paul Schneidmiller
added, “We are excited to offer this new service to
both the traveling public and our airport users.”
PocketiNet Communications was founded in
2000 as a supplier of business broadband to Southeastern Washington
and Northeastern Oregon. The firm’s corporate headquarters
is located on the second floor of the airport terminal building.
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Retired Manager Larry Adams lists the Walla Walla Regional
Airport terminal building, completed in 2001, as one
of the “big changes” during his term. |
Larry
Adams is making plans to do some fishing -- and lots
of it!
Adams, who has been manager of the
Walla Walla Regional Airport since 1990, retired April
30, 2005. While he’s “thinking” about
some part-time airport consulting, a first priority
is a little travel and spending a lot of time on the
North Idaho streams of his boyhood years.
During his 14 plus years in Walla
Walla, Adams witnessed significant changes in the local
airport.
On top of the list was the completion
of the ultra-modern, $10 million terminal building that
opened in 2001. The rest of the impressive accomplishments
include taxi-way improvements, construction of 11 new
hanger buildings and recent improvements to the main
runway.
All totaled, capital projects costing
more than $22 million were completed during Adams’
watch.
A big chunk of those dollars, nearly
70 percent, came from federal sources. According to
Port of Walla Walla officials, Adams effective working
relationship with the Federal Aviation Administration
was helpful in bringing that money to Walla Walla.
Even with those achievements, Adams
says his successor will still have plenty to do. The
“want list” includes continued
runway improvements, acquisition of property for future
runway development and modernization of airport lighting.
Adams estimates future expenditures
about $8 million between now and 2010.
The retired airport manager also sees the need for continuing
efforts to build flight traffic and ongoing programs
to upgrade the site’s industrial park.
“We’ve done a terrific
job,” Adams said, “but we need to do even
more to prepare for the future.”
A former Marine Corp officer who flew
Vietnam combat missions and served as president’s
helicopter pilot, Adams has also been a school teacher,
real estate agent and fire district manager.
His first airport management job was
head of Pullman’s one-man department.
“I got to do everything there,” Adams explained,
“...from sweeping the floors to clearing the snow.”
“Coming to Walla Walla where
there was a staff was a real joy,” Adams said.
The operating and administrative
people here are skilled and dedicated,” he continued.
“They’re excellent representatives of the
Port and it’s been rewarding to serve on the same
team with people like that.”
Adams also emphasized that working
with the Port of Walla Walla Commissionhas been a pleasure.
“These men have a real vision
for the Port and the airport,” Adams said. “It’s
an honor that they’ve had faith in my abilities
to do the job.” |
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