Press Releases

Press Release
From: Sonya Overton, Director of Marketing & Air Service Development
Submitted On: 4 August 2023

COLUMBUS, GA August 2023- On Saturday, August 5th from 9a-5p the Columbus Airport in partnership with Barber Blake owner of The Spotlight will be preparing our local youth for the first day of school with free haircuts and 150+ book bags filled with school supplies to families in need in the Tri-City Area.
Barber Blake became a Master Barber in 2010 and has been cutting hair for over 20 years with humble beginnings of cutting hair in his teenage years. The previous manager of Nappy Root Barber Shop, Blake, now owns his own shop which is currently being remodeled. This event will be his first of many events to give back to the community.
Barber Blake stated “I Prayed Night and day for my event to become successful. I can finally say, my dreams have come true. I’m having my 1st annual FREE HAIRCUT and BACKPACK, SCHOOL SUPPLIES GIVEAWAY at Columbus Airport. Can’t nobody tell me what God can’t do!”
Airport Director Amber Clark stated, “As Columbus’ Hometown Airport we are happy to be a part of this opportunity to give back to our community. There are so many families that need this service and schools supplies and we are happy to support this initiative.”
The airport is a public use airport in Columbus Georgia located at 3250 W. Britt David Road servicing the community with commercial airline and general aviation service.

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Press Release

From: Sonya Overton, Director of Marketing & Air Service Development

Submitted On: 8 May 2023

COLUMBUS, GA May 2023- On May 9, 2023, Marshall Upshaw, Columbus Airport Commissions longest working employee will retire after 45 years of service to the Columbus Airport. The Commission will dedicate an area in the terminal after Upshaw in honor of his service.

Upshaw began working at Columbus Airport on August 21, 1978, less than 10 years after the airport acquired the land at 3250 W. Britt David Road in August 1969 and Administration offices were located inside a hangar.

Upshaw began as a janitor and eventually moved into maintenance where he learned to operate tractors and mowers cutting the grass around the runways and landside. Upshaw saw the existing terminal building planned, constructed and erected attending the ribbon cutting ceremony in 1991 and again in 2021 when the same building completed a $20.8M renovation.

After moving to the landside of the airport Upshaw began training on sprinkler system maintenance, pruning, sod, maintenance on lawn equipment and other landscaping techniques attending Horticulture classes at CVCC in 2009.

Airport Director Amber Clark stated, “Marshall Upshaw has been an invaluable asset here at CSG his skill, technique and presence will be sorely missed. We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors and a long and happy retirement. We thank him for his service to Columbus Airport,”
The airport is a public use airport in Columbus Georgia located at 3250 W. Britt David Road servicing the community with commercial airline and general aviation service.

Press Release

From: Sonya Overton, Director of Marketing & Air Service Development

Submitted On: 15 February 2023

COLUMBUS, GA February 2023- In 2014, the Department of Transportation awarded the Columbus Airport the Small Community Air Service Development Grant for the development and implantation of a revenue guarantee, start-up cost offsets, and associated marketing costs to recruit, initiate, and support a second air carrier to provide new nonstop service from Columbus Airport to Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CL T).
The DOT agreed to provide $750,000 towards these efforts and the local community agreed to provide $200,000 in cash contributions along with $228,000 in in-kind contributions.
On March 31st, 2021 the Columbus Airport Commission executed an air service agreement with American Airlines to provide regularly scheduled passenger air service, between Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) and Columbus Airport (CSG) in both directions. American Airlines started service on August 16th, 2021. Once the American service began the SCASD grant became effective and the DOT, the Columbus Airport, and the local community partners were required to pay the revenue deficit of American Airlines operations up to the amounts listed above, $950,000 in cash funds.

Georgia Power the largest operating company within Southern Company, has proudly served our community for over 100 years who is committed to making a positive impact in our community.
The airport is a public use airport in Columbus Georgia located at 3250 W. Britt David Road servicing the community with commercial airline and general aviation service.

Press Release
From: Sonya Overton, Marketing Manager
Submitted On: 27 March 2019

 March 27, 2019—As the country celebrates Women’s History Month in celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture and society it comes as no surprise that the Columbus Airport Commission announced Amber Clark, C.M. as the first woman in Columbus Airport History, Airport Director of the Columbus Airport (CSG) on November 13, 2018. 

 Under the new leadership of Clark who has over 10 years’ experience in the airport industry and currently acts as the Chief Executive Officer responsible for the overall administration at the Columbus Airport, she also oversees a dynamic management team that is 67% women who come with 94 years of combined experience, all providing a great contribution to the Airport. 

Lorrie Brewer, Chief Accountant oversees Budgeting Operations and Input, maintaining Airport Construction Projects Financial Data, Payroll, Accounts Receivables and Payables. Lorrie is currently working on Financial Planning for the upcoming Terminal Rehabilitation Project. 

Brandy Burkett, Human Resource Manager maintains and enhances the organization’s Human Resources by planning, implementing, and evaluating employee relations and Human Resource policies, programs, and practices. Brandy is currently working on improving Payroll Practices, Building New Platforms, Training Analysis and Software Updates. 

Sonya Overton, Marketing Manager budgets, plans, develops and implements all marketing activities internally and externally. She handles all duties from Community and Media Relations, Advertising and Sales, Market Campaigns, Communications, Marketing Strategies and Air Service Development. Sonya is currently working on Air Service Development, 75th Columbus Airport Anniversary Campaign, 10th Anniversary Flightways Columbus Campaign and Community Involvement. 

Michele Renfroe, FBO Manager manages an FBO staff of fifteen personnel. She monitors FBO accounting software programs, budgets, Capital Improvement Projects, manages hangars and leases for all General Aviation customers. Michele is currently working on future focused projects to include Hangar Rehab, Nata Safety, Quality Control and Customer Service training. 

The Columbus Airport Commission employs over 50 employees, 35% female. The team is committed to meeting the air transportation and economic development needs of the community, its customers and partners. 

POC for this release:
Sonya L. Overton, Marketing Manager-Columbus Airport
Columbus, GA 31909
www.flycolumbusga.com
706-324-2449

Press Release
From: Sonya Overton, Marketing Manager
Submitted On: 26 November, 2018

November 26, 2018—The Columbus Airport Commission announced Amber Clark, C.M. as the new Airport Director at Columbus Airport (CSG) on November 13, 2018.

Clark as Airport Director serves as the Chief Executive Officer responsible for the overall management and administration at CSG planning, directing and coordinating the work of staff personnel as well as administering policies and directives of the Commission.

Clark has over 10 years’ experience in the airport industry, most recently as the Columbus Airport’s FBO Manager of Flightways for three years overseeing the operations of Customer Service and Line Operations while making recommendations to the Airport Director and the Commission regarding improvements and development of the FBO.

Prior to her work at Flightways, Clark served as the Customer Service Manager at the Cobb County International Airport in Kennesaw Georgia; a position that she held for three years where she sharpened her proficiency in FBO Management, Marketing and Research.

Obtaining her private pilot’s certificate at the age of eighteen from Aero Atlanta Flight School at the Cobb County International Airport (KRYY), Clark holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aviation Management from Florida Institute of Technology and received her Certified Member (C.M.) designation from the American Association of Airport Executives (A.A.A.E.) in March 2017 by completing an examination measuring her comprehensive knowledge of Airport Finance and Administration, Airport Planning, Construction and Environmental, Airport Operations, Security and Maintenance, Airport Communications and Community Relations.

In June of 2018, Clark received her ASOS Certificate for Airport Safety and Operations Specialist providing a solid overview of 14 CFR Part 139 requirements and federal guidelines that affect the way airports comply with regulations.

She has been very active in the industry completing her Commercial Pilot’s Certificate, along with her Instrument and Multi-Engine Rating with currently a little over 350 hours of flight time. Through an internship with Delta Air Lines, Clark also assisted in the merger of Northwest and Delta.

Amber is looking forward to her new role as the Airport Director and is excited to continue working with a family of individuals that are truly focused on setting the standard as the hometown airport known to provide airport services and amenities with a personal touch.

Press Release
From: Sonya Overton, Marketing Manager
Submitted On: 12 August 2019

COLUMBUS, GA AUGUST 12, 2019- August 1, 2019 marks the 75th anniversary for the Columbus airport, the hometown airport of the Tri-city area to include Columbus, Georgia, Fort Benning, Georgia and Phenix City Alabama. The airport has grown from a small one room terminal originally located off Victory Drive in South Columbus to a two-story terminal that sits in the center of Columbus providing access to the world on a global scale from the Tri-city community.

Airport Director, Amber Clark stated: “We have achieved this milestone through the hard work and dedication of our vendors, our community and our culture of customer service that exists throughout the entire airport. We have dedicated ourselves to 75 years of setting the standard as the hometown airport known to provide airport services and amenities with a personal touch. Throughout 2019, we will be taking a look at where we began, what we have achieved, and what our plans are for the future focusing on our branding: FOWARD WITH FOCUS”

Beginning August 1, 2019 through July 31, 2020 we will be celebrating 75 years of service by enhancing passenger experiences with Feedback Now that focus on “real time” customer feedback, upgrading the terminal with a terminal modernization project and partnering up with local partners in order to gift the CSG Experience through various promotions.

Columbus Airport is committed to meeting the air transportation and economic development needs of the community, its customers and partners while exceeding expectations for safety and quality service. The airport is a public use airport in Columbus Georgia located at 3250 W. Britt David Road servicing the community with commercial airline and general aviation service.

Press Release

From: Sonya Overton, Director of Marketing & Air Service Development

Submitted On: 06 September 2022

COLUMBUS, GA February 2022- Thursday, September 8th 2022 at 1:30 p.m. the Columbus Airport’s Public Safety Department will perform a live gunshot detection emergency exercise at the Columbus Airport with AmberBox Gunshot Detection system.
The exercise will consist of a live gunshot using blank ammunition in the airport terminal and administrative offices where the systems will report as Airport Police respond to the alert.
“Passenger safety is our priority; we rely on our Public Safety department and Amber Box partners in these types of exercises keeping us safe and up to date on any threats that could happen at any time.” Says Amber Clark, Airport Director of the Columbus Airport. “These exercises are crucial to ensure that all departments understand what to do and how to respond in an emergency.”
AmberBox Gunshot Detection is the market leader in active threat detection. Being the only third generation technology solution, AmberBox provides instant gunshot detection and notification to police and Airport Public Safety. The real-time response platform delivers event data, with the ability to view precise gunshot location and timing, perpetrator movement, weapon classification, and the option to respond immediately with pre-programmed security feature integrations. AmberBox Gunshot Detection enables first responders to arrive on scene faster, equipped with the vital information needed to contain threats and mitigate casualties.
The airport is a public use airport in Columbus Georgia located at 3250 W. Britt David Road servicing the community with commercial airline and general aviation service.

Press Release
From: Sonya Overton, Director of Marketing & Air Service Development
Submitted On: 07 June 2022

COLUMBUS, GA., June 7, 2022—The Columbus Airport (CSG) awarded Departure Media, Inc. (DMI), a 100% woman owned business and the largest prime ACDBE advertising concessionaire in the country their advertising program. This is the second airport that DMI has added in the last two months.

“We’re thrilled to be selected as Columbus Airport’s first advertising concessionaire,” said Leslie Bensen, Departure Media founder and CEO. “CSG’s recent renovations and addition of service provided by American Airlines are positive changes and timely for the launch of an exciting, new terminal advertising program. DMI will offer static and digital advertising opportunities to companies interested in reaching this highly sophisticated and sought-after target audience.”

Columbus Airport is owned and operated by the Columbus Airport Commission and is the fourth largest airport in the state of Georgia. Last fall, the airport unveiled a completely renovated, twostory terminal—the result of a multi-year, $20.8 million improvement program that upgraded the facilities inside and out. The renovations helped Columbus Airport recruit a second commercial carrier, American Airlines, which began offering nonstop service to and from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) in October. The airport expects the additional service to increase traffic from 100,000 annual passengers to 150,000–175,000 by 2023.

Airport Director Amber Clark said of the new partnership, “Departure Media’s track record of developing and expanding airport advertising programs throughout the country gave us the confidence to embark on this new program. Our vision as the hometown airport is to provide large airport services and amenities with a personal touch, and this is one more way we are achieving that.”

Departure Media develops, creates and implements targeted advertising campaigns that generate multiple messaging opportunities for advertisers in airports. Airports benefit from enhanced terminal aesthetics, an improved passenger experience and revenue generation.

Advertisers benefit from an advertising channel that is uniquely positioned to reach local, national, and international audiences who have adequate time to absorb their message.

Departure Media

Departure Media, Inc., was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Charleston, S.C. The company is 100 percent woman-owned and serves airports in: Clearwater, Fla.; Gainesville, Fla.; Albany, Ga.; Augusta, Ga.; Columbus, Ga., Cincinnati/Northern Ky.; Dayton, Ohio; Beaufort, S.C.; Hilton Head, S.C.; Norfolk, Va.; and Richmond, Va. For more information, visit www.Departure-Media.com.

Media Contact
Sonya Overton
Columbus Airport
706-330-8246 Office

To All Media Outlets – Distribute Freely – Immediate Release. I have attached a press of inductees for the 29th Annual Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame Enshrinement Banquet. Event to be held Saturday April 30th, 2022, banquet will be hosted at the hangar of Lance Toland in Griffin Georgia. Onsite film crews can be accommodated at this event. This is quite a large and prestigious gathering in
the Statewide aviation community. Full biographies are included within the attached release.

Regards,

Jimmy Norton
Board Member / Media Relations
Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame
www.gaaviationhalloffame.com
770-609-8997 Office
404-625-2114 Cell

Heather Turner
Museum of Aviation
(478) 327-5276
hturner@museumofaviation.org