As we worked on the appearance change of LIBAA we also initiated efforts to completely overhaul our website. By doing so we were mindful of providing a tool to our members were they could provide information on their companies and were we as an organization could post and disseminate information in a more timely and relevant manner. The new website provides a more modern look, with many enhancements such as video uplinks, photo pages, updated member directory, on line registration to LIBAA and a current events section. Our members now have a means of promoting their businesses on our website with a bio of their respective companies and direct links to their websites.
Many thanks go to Ray Ringston of Ringston Media, who worked selflessly to help make our vision a reality in both of these areas. These tasks required much attention and many hours of hard work that infringed upon personal time, and Ray delivered in every instance.
This past year also provided many areas were the involvement of LIBAA was important to another core principle of our existence, that to protect our industry. To this end we did so by being actively involved in different areas of concern for aviation, not only here on Long Island but also within the State of New York. In brief:
- Participation with the New York Aviation Management Association in their efforts during “aviation advocacy day”. During this event we were successful in lobbying members of the Senate and Assembly to form an aviation caucus to work with on issues confronting aviation here in New York.
- Dialogue with the Brookhaven Airport users group to monitor and assist were required in the various challenges confronting the businesses and operators at .
- Direct involvement with the board members of Eastern Suffolk Boces to help stave off elimination of the maintenance program currently offered to various school districts.
- Expressed opposition to the proposed rules regarding the change to helicopter flight patterns over Long Island.
In September we were proud to be a sponsor of the Aerospace Education Corporation and their Career Fair held at Republic Airport. LIBAA was once again able to provide a sizeable donation to this very important event, made possible by our very successful annual golf tournament held at Rock Hill in May. The 2 day event drew over 1700 middle and high school students, and provided educational displays and career guidance by military members, industry professionals and member organizations. This event was made possible by the many hours of work and dedication put forth by those volunteers who worked that day and behind the scenes to assure its success. I would like to especially thank Bill McShane and Jennifer Minori for their extraordinary efforts, and giving of their time so selflessly to make this event and the AEC so successful.
As you can see 2010 was a busy year for LIBAA, however 2011 offers many more challenges. This will require the continued dedication and commitment of our board but most importantly your involvement, those of you reading this letter.
It is so vitally important for you to have a voice in this great industry we work in and to help shape its future. All too often many important issues require immediate attention on behalf of our members, and unfortunately the response is mainly underwhelming in response to our “call to arms”. This is quite disconcerting and of major concern as these requests deal with issues that only serve to further handicap our industry (i.e. your businesses). I challenge each of us this year to stand up and be heard, to be a vocal proponent to champion our industry here statewide, and be an essential part of the process to effect the change necessary to ensure our long term viability.
You can help accomplish this by making it a priority to attend this year’s annual “advocacy day” on March 22nd in Albany. That is your chance to work together with LIBAA, NYAMA, other industry groups and professionals across the state and speak directly to our elected officials. Your voice is not only important it is necessary!!!
This year we are working to get the Aviation Jobs Act bill passed that will provide more favorable tax policies for New York, thereby helping to create additional jobs providing the necessary stimulus to help move our economy forward. This is vital to our recovery as indicators show growth to be slower then expected from the continued affects of the global financial crisis.
We will continue to stay engaged in all the issues affecting our industry and members, including the Brookhaven Airport situation, the Eastern Regional Helicopter Association and their fight against the change in helicopter routing, the West 30th Street heliport and its potential as a target for closure, the proposed construction of a waste transfer facility within 2 miles of LaGuardia Airport, the redesign of the Class B airspace, Eastern Suffolk Boces and their future and other issues that present themselves.
Thank you to all of our members for your involvement and continued support and my personal thanks to the board for having supported my appointment and having made this first year both gratifying and rewarding. I am honored to have stewardship of this great organization and the added pleasure of working with each of you. I appreciate your time, effort and talents but most importantly your friendship.
The best in 2011 to all of you!!!
Sincerely,
Eugene Portela
President
Long Island Business Aviation Association, Inc.
