ERIC JOHNSON – President/Director of Airports

As President/Director of Airports, Eric Johnson is ultimately responsible for the operation of Forbes Field and Philip Billard Airports, as well as the Topeka Air Industrial Park. Mr. Johnson joined the MTAA in 2006 as the Director of Operations. Prior to moving to Topeka, Mr. Johnson served as Director of Airport Operations at Elmira/Corning Regional Airport in New York for seventeen years where he acquired endless experience in the areas of airport security under Transportation Security Administration requirements, aircraft rescue and fire fighting under Federal Aviation Administration criteria, structural fire fighting, and daily management of airport facility operations.

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CHERYL TROBOUGH – Director of Administration and Finance

Cheryl Trobough is involved in many aspects of the MTAA's operation and has had many varied duties since her employment with the MTAA in 1986. Most recently, in 2007 she was promoted to the position of Director of Administration and Finance. Ms. Trobough and the Administrative Office Staff have the responsibility of carrying out the day-to-day operations of the Administrative Office. These functions range from the office's clerical duties pertaining to Leasing and Human Resources to all financial duties including Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Lease Management and Payroll.

Ms. Trobough joined the MTAA staff in 1986 as Personnel Secretary and has held numerous positions throughout the years. In 2006 she was promoted to the position of Office Manager and HR Specialist. She was appointed Freedom of Information Officer for the MTAA in 2000 and also serves as Authority Clerk on Federal grant projects.

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COL. JAMES GARNER – Director of Safety

Col. James Gardner has been a member of the MTAA Police and Fire Department since 1985 and has been Chief since 2002. He also serves as Security Coordinator for Forbes Field Airport. He has over 26 years experience in law enforcement and has been a Kansas-certified Emergency Medical Technician since 1981.

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metropolitan topeka airport authority
topeka regional airport & business center
6510 SE Forbes Ave., ste. 1, topeka, ks 66619-1446
785.862.2362