The new executive director of the U. of I.’s Willard Airport has more than 25 years airport management experience.
David “Gene” Cossey (COO-zee) was named the airport’s executive director Oct. 20 following a national search led by a university-appointed committee. He will start Dec. 7.
“Gene stood out very early in the process as someone who was not only capable of managing Willard Airport, but one who could improve its operations and take it successfully into the future,” said Associate Chancellor Michael DeLorenzo
Cossey is the director of operations at Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids.
Prior to that, he was the senior manager of airside operations at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, the airport director at Newport Municipal Airport in Oregon and the airport operations manager at Southwest Oregon Regional Airport.
Cossey has a bachelor’s degree in business management and information systems. He is an Accredited Airport Executive through the American Association of Airport Executives, and an International Airport Professional through the Airports Council International.
Cossey’s experience includes airport and economic development, intergovernmental affairs, grant writing, budgeting and negotiation, and community outreach.
SAVOY, IL (Aug. 19, 2015) – Fly Champaign-Urbana has officially been unveiled as the new brand for University of Illinois – Willard Airport. New logos, a revamped IFlyCU.com website as well as social media presence on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube have been established as part of larger effort to increase awareness of the Airport and encourage Central Illinois travelers to choose Willard Airport. To celebrate, the Airport is partnering with Fighting Illini athletics to host the “Ultimate Illini Flyaway” social media promotion which will begin Monday, August 24.
The new brand is part of an 18 month initiative the University of Illinois – Willard Airport Advisory Board has been working on to pave the way for the Airport’s future. The Advisory Board, which is made up of a group of 20 leaders dedicated to the success of the Airport, has developed a full strategic marketing and air service development plan which will be implemented in the following months. The enhanced branding includes a new website, a traditional advertising campaign, social media and outreach efforts focused on both the general traveling public and local business communities. The new branding was chosen, after research conducted by the Advisory Board identified a need to connect the airport to the two largest cities in the region.
“The new branding is more than a logo, it’s a mission that will drive us forward in our thinking and planning,” said Steve Carter, Chair of the University of Illinois – Willard Airport Advisory Board. “The work of the Advisory Board is already paying off, in 2014 the number of passengers utilizing Willard Airport grew 11 percent, making it the best year since 2008. 2015 is looking even better and we hope the community will realize the value when you Fly Champaign-Urbana with this new branding.”
The logo was designed to match the colors of the Fighting Illini and features easy to read stylistic elements. The jet seen inside the word “Fly” points up, indicating the ascending path of the Airport, the University and the region. The jet is also a silhouette of the current aircraft serving the Airport, and can be adjusted should larger aircraft be deployed in Champaign- Urbana. The official name of the Airport, University of Illinois – Willard Airport, will not change. The newly coined IFlyCU.com website features an easy-to-remember URL that directly corresponds with the new branding.
To celebrate the new Fly Champaign-Urbana brand, the Airport has teamed-up with Fighting Illini athletics for a social media promotion beginning Monday, August 24 and running through Sunday, Sept. 6. Through the Fighting Illini Facebook page, fans may enter to win the grand prize of season tickets to all home Fighting Illini athletic games as well as two tickets to one away football game and a $1,000 American Airlines gift card provided by University of Illinois – Willard Airport. A second prize winner will receive season tickets to all home Fighting Illini basketball games. Details on the contest will be announced on Monday, August 24, on Fighting Illini Facebook page and at the Airport’s Facebook and Twitter pages.
About Fly Champaign-Urbana
When you Fly Champaign-Urbana you save time and money. Minutes from anywhere in Champaign County, University of Illinois – Willard Airport offers competitive fares with access to more than 175 cities on four continents with just a single stop. The Airport is served by American Airlines with six daily non-stop flights to Chicago O’Hare and a daily non-stop flight to Dallas/Ft. Worth on American Eagle. University of Illinois – Willard Airport boasts a terminal facility that is easy to navigate and parking is just a few steps from the plane. Next time you travel, remember to Fly Champaign-Urbana. For more information visit IFlyCU.com.
Champaign County, home to the University of Illinois, features world-class technological resources and superb location and transportation benefits that make it a strategic hub for technology and industrial development.
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