Philip Billard, 1912Philip Billard Airport was opened to the public in April 1940. The airport was dedicated to a prominent Topeka resident, Philip L. Billard. Billard volunteered for military service as a pilot when the United States entered World War 1. Commissioned a captain in the Kansas National Guard, he was charged with forming the state's first aviation unit. He then joined the U. S. Army, where he was assigned duty as a test pilot in France. Shown below is the type of plane Billard flew while serving oversees. On July 24, 1918 Philip Billard was killed when the DeHaviland 4, he was piloting crashed.

DeHaviland 4From the 1940s to the 1970s, Billard Airport was owned and operated by the City of Topeka. In January 1974, the Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority was created to oversee most of the facilities that were once exclusively operated by the military at Forbes Field. Those facilities were then transferred to the city in April 1976.

In November 1978, the Shawnee County voters approved legislation that made MTAA responsible for Philip Billard Airport, the Topeka Air Industrial Park, and Forbes Field, now known as Topeka Regional Airport.

1940 air mail letter

At left an air mail flown from Philip Billard Airport during its dedication in 1940. The VFW post #1650, mentioned on the letter, is still active in the Topeka community today.

Media Inquiries

To schedule interviews or for general media inquiries, please contact:

Airport President/Director of Airports (785) 862-2362
Eric Johnson This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

• State of Kansas
  www.kansas.gov
• Shawnee County
  www.snco.us
• City of Topeka
  www.topeka.org

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

• Greater Topeka Partnership
  https://www.topekapartnership.com/
• Visit Topeka
  www.visittopeka.us

LOCAL MEDIA

• WIBW-TV13
  www.wibw.com
• Kansas First News (KSNT-TV27 / KTKA-TV49 / KTMJ-TV43)
  www.kansasfirstnews.com
• Topeka Capital-Journal
  www.cjonline.com

EDUCATION

Colleges & Technical Schools:

• Washburn University
  www.washburn.edu
• Bryan College
  www.bryanu.edu
• Washburn Institute of Technology
  www.washburntech.edu
• WTI (Wichita Technical Institute)
  www.wti.edu

K-12 School districts serving Topeka and the surrounding areas:

• Topeka Public Schools USD 501
  www.topekapublicschools.net
• Seaman USD 345 (North Topeka & Shawnee County)
  www.usd345.com
• Auburn-Washburn USD 437 (Southwest Topeka & Shawnee County)
  www.usd437.net
• Shawnee Heights USD 450 (Southeast Topeka & Shawnee County)
  www.snh450.k12.ks.us
• Kaw Valley USD 321 (Cities of Delia, Emmett, Rossville, St. Marys, Valencia, Willard)
  www.kawvalley.k12.ks.us
• Mission Valley USD 330 (Cities of Dover, Eskridge & Wabaunsee County East)
  www.mv330.org
• Jefferson West USD 340 (Cities of Meridan, Ozawkie, Rock Creek & Jefferson County)
  www.usd340.org
• Silver Lake USD 372 (City of Silver Lake & Shawnee County)
  www.silverlakeschools.org
• Santa Fe Trail USD 434 (Cities of Carbondale, Scranton & Osage County)
  www.usd434.org

ENTERTAINMENT & ATTRACTIONS

• Combat Air Museum
  www.combatairmuseum.org
• Museum of the Kansas National Guard
  www.kansasguardmuseum.org
• Kansas Expocentre
  www.ksexpo.com
• Topeka Performing Arts Center
  www.tpactix.org
• Topeka Civic Theatre and Academy
  www.topekacivictheatre.com
• Helen Hocker Theatre
  www.topekacivictheatre.com/hht/

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.

E-Mail Address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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.

E-Mail Address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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.

E-Mail Address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.