LFT Annual Report

Paul Segura Secretary/Treasurer

Paul A. Guilbeau, Sr. Vice Chairman

Steven Picou Executive Director

Matt Cruse Chairman

Dear Friends, At a time in our community when the Lafayette Regional Airport has continued to excel, the past year has been unprecedented. Our airport broke all past records in terms of passenger counts, topping half a million passengers served in a single year for the first time in our airport’s history.

We added a fourth destination after the Lafayette Airport Commission made the case for daily non-stop service to Denver and United Airlines responded. We saw Delta add a flight with first-class seats on board to Atlanta. And all three of our air carrier partners, American Eagle to Dallas, Delta to Atlanta, and United to Denver and Houston, are experiencing strong demand from citizens who depart from and return to the Lafayette airport. This past year also saw the dedication of Paul Fournet Field in honor of a local aviation legend. Our airport made history this past year with the approval, by almost a 60% margin, of a unique 8-month sales tax dedicated to a NEW LFT Terminal and supportive infrastructure. We not only gained the support of a majority of parish voters, the new terminal project sales tax election offered a new way to look at Lafayette Parish sales tax proposals with a specific project identified, a limited collection term of less than one year and no option to extend the tax. We also embarked on a path for new airport administrative leadership through a nation-wide selection process that resulted in the selection of Louisiana-native Steven Picou to become the airport’s Executive Director.

We could not have done this without our customers, our staff, our airlines, our airport vendors, supportive elected officials and the voters of Lafayette Parish. And, as Chairman, I need to say we could not have done it without the incredible dedication of my fellow members of the Lafayette Airport Commission. Each brings unique talent to their positions, from law and financial management, from real estate and service industry, from small business management to community service. Lafayette Airport Commissioners serve without compensation and accept our positions as those ultimately responsible for the operations and well-being of our parish’s airport as seriously as if we were its owners.

As we look forward, there are many challenges and opportunities as we plan for what will be a $90 million expansion centered on the design and construction of the new terminal and look for ways to enhance the parking lot to gateway experience for our airport’s customers. As we look back at the previous year, through this 2014 Annual Report, I hope you agree with me that we have one of the most exceptional regional airports in America.

Best regards,

Matt Cruse Chairman, Lafayette Airport Commission

LAFAYETTE REGIONAL AIRPORT COMMISSION

Matt Cruse Chairman

Paul A. Guilbeau, Sr. Vice Chairman

Paul Segura Secretary/Treasurer

Lafayette Regional Airport Commissioners represent all areas of Lafayette Parish. The city-parish council, city-parish president and area mayors appoint the commission. The seven-member volunteer commission performs operations and marketing-related tasks on an ongoing basis. Commissioners work with airport staff to coordinate business development with potential customers and tenants.

Additionally, commissioners serve as ambassadors for the airport through their interaction with community and government leaders. Their experience and backgrounds are diverse: financial, real estate, business, and legal expertise. Each brings a unique and valuable skill set to the commission. Two of the commissioners are licensed pilots.

Valerie C. Garrett Commissioner

John E. Hebert Commissioner

Carroll B. Robichaux, Jr., Commissioner

Timothy Skinner Commissioner

Acadiana has an estimated 635,000 residents…

Lafayette Regional Airport is the quickest access point to the rest of the country and the world.

Lafayette has a significant tourism industry with over one million visitors each year…We are the gateway to Acadiana.

Lafayette has long-standing ties to the oil and gas industry. Sixteen of Lafayette’s 30 largest employers are in the oil and gas industry…We are the bridge to their operations, whether they are in Denver, Houston, or the Gulf of Mexico.

Where the people of Lafayette need to go…We can get them there.

From humble beginnings as a wooden hanger…We have grown to have the 2nd-biggest economic impact of any airport in the state, while being 4th in size.

LAFAYETTE’S TOP 10 1. HAPPIEST CITY, MOST OPTIMISTIC CITY: National Bureau of Economic Research, 2014; Gallup, 2012

1. RECORD-BREAKING RETAIL SALES: LPSS, 2006, 2008, & 2014

2. BEST PLACES FOR BUSINESS AND CAREERS: Forbes Magazine, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, & 2012

3. BEST JOB MARKET, BEST MID-SIZED CITIES FOR JOBS, BEST PLACES TO FIND A JOB, LEADING CITY FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH, LEADING LOCATION, JOB GROWTH, & WAGE GROWTH: CNN Money, 2012; Forbes Magazine, 2009 & 2012; Forbes.com, 2009; Area Development, 2012, 2013 & 2014; US Department of Labor, 2007

4. FASTEST GROWING METROS, HIGH PER CAPITA INCOME, BEST GDP GROWTH: IHS Global, July 2012;

Since 1948, we have served Lafayette, Louisiana’s needs for commercial flights and general aviation, as the municipally-owned, community-supported Lafayette Regional Airport.

Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2007; Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2013

5. BEST PLACE TO LAUNCH A BUSINESS, BUSINESS START UPS, HOT CITIES FOR ENTREPEUNERS, BEST CITIES FOR RELOCATING FAMILIES: Fortune Small Business, 2009; BusinessWeek.com, 2009; Entrepreneur Magazine, 2006; Worldwide ERC, 2006

6. TECH-INTENSIVE POPULATION, CITIES RISING FAST ON THE HIGH-TECH HORIZON, CTY OF THE FUTURE: USA Today, 2005; Entrepreneur Magazine, 2004; fDi Magazine, April 2013

7. BEST FOR FOOD, TASTIEST TOWN, TOP 10 FOODIE CITY: Rand McNally /USA today, 2011; southern Living Magazine, 2012; livability.com, 2013

8. BEST MUSIC FESTIVAL, BEST EVENT, AMERICA’S BEST MUSIC TOWNS: about.com, 2012 & 2013; American Bus Association, 2011; Oakland Tribune, 2010

9. BEST COLLEGE TOWN: Travel and Leisure Magazine, 2013 Credit: Lafayette City Parish Government & LEDA, Lafayette Economic Development Authority.

L F T O P E R AT I N G B U D G E T

INCOME

Operations & MTCE Tx Land Rentals Hanger Rentals Terminal Rents Other Rents Fuel Flowage Fees Landing Fees Parking Tolls Other Operating Income Interest Income

INCOME TOTAL

EXPENSES

$2,875,000 $389,940 $580,985 $1,992,040 $1,756,408 $139,000 $761,000 $1,570,000 $183,816 $60,000

$10,308,189

Administrative $2,703,7016 ARFF $632,500 Airport Security $768,000 General Maintenance $2,177,169 Janitorial $249,000 Parking Lot Mgmt Fees $330,000 Capital Expenditures $2,221,820

EXPENSES TOTAL

Available for future projects

$1,225,984

$9,082,205

T O P 2 5 D E S T I N AT I O N S C I T I E S

PA R T N E R S

Destination City

% of Total Passengers

Dallas, TX

5.03%

Las Vegas, NV

4.81%

Denver, CO

4.28%

New York, NY

3.59%

Atlanta, GA

3.23

Orlando, FL

3.05%

Los Angeles, CA

2.33%

Washington, D.C.

2.28%

San Francisco, CA

2.17%

Houston, TX

1.84%

Seattle, WA

1.76%

Miami, FL

1.55%

Chicago, IL

1.53%

Phoenix, AZ

1.51%

Boston, MA

1.50%

San Diego, CA

1.40%

Cancun, MX

1.24%

Charlotte, NC

1.12%

Salt Lake City, UT

1.00%

Philadelphia, PA

0.97%

Baltimore, MD

0.90%

Nashville, TN

0.86%

Pittsburgh, PA

0.84%

Portland, OR

0.79%

for assistance with airline tickets,

Santa Ana, CA

0.73%

hotel rooms, cruises and other

www.united.com (800) 525-0280

www.americaneagle.com (800) 433-7300

www.delta.com (800) 221-1212

Contact your local travel agent

travel planning.

AIRPORT IMPROVEMENTS AIRPORT IMPROVEMENTS Last five Years

$83,980,811 Current

$36,649,963

Projected Five Years

$33.15 M not including terminal related infrastructure Projected Five Years with Terminal

$123–150 M $90,000,000 to $115,000,000 Terminal Ramp Expansion

$28,000,000 Airside Only

CURRENT ACTIVITY AT LAFAYETTE REGIONAL AIRPORT Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) Funds Ongoing PFC Dual Jet Bridge Projected PFC Projects Taxiway Foxtrot Phase I Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Projects Runway 4R/22L Improvements and Runway Safety Area (Phase I-111)

$6.5 M $3.9 M $740 K $1.1 M $216 K $70 K

Projected Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Projects Runway 11 West End Construction and EMAS $5.5 M Runway 29 East End Phase II of II Design $1.5 M Terminal Apron Rehabilitation $850 K Runway 29 East End Construction and EMAS $15 M

Terminal Expansion

Security Enhancements

Runway 4R/22L Overlay Perimeter Road Improvements Runway 11 West End Design I and II Sealcoat all Taxiways and Signage and Marking Plan Airport Layout Plan Runway 29 East End Design Phase I of II

$3.5 M $1.95 M $1.5 M

$26.0 M

State Capital Outlay Cargo Processing Building

$5 M

DOTD Funded Projects North GA Ramp Phase II Taxiway Mike Parallel to RWY 11-29 Runway 11-29 Rehabilitation Update Master Plan

$6.4 M $4.7 M $2.3 M $300 K

Projected DOTD Funded Projects North GA Ramp Phase III Taxiway Foxtrot Terminal Apron Improvements

$2.0 M $6.0 M $80 K

AIRPORT STAFF

DOTD STUDY

Steven Picou, AAE, ACE Executive Director Mary Green Chief Financial Officer Tina Lation Airport Security Coordinator Daniel Elsea Grants Coordinator and Assistant Projects Manager Rene Cotton Leases and Contracts Administrator Jennifer Comeaux Leases and Contracts Administrator Assistant Anthony Hebert Airfield Manager Joe Strmiska Operations Specialist Giles Menard Operations Specialist Reeves Russell Operations Specialist Ashley Simon, P.E. Environmental Specialist Fred Menard Maintenance Supervisor Mark Thibodaux Maintenance Foreman Debbie Amy Secretary/Commission Meeting Administrator Aline Nelson Accounting Clerk Cindy McDaniel Receptionist Barry Harper Fire Chief

The draft of the Louisiana Airports Economic

AIRPORTS LAFAYETTE TRAVELERS CHOSE IN 2014

Impact Study, commissioned by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development’s (DOTDs) Aviation Section, shows that although Lafayette Regional Airport is the fourth-largest airport in size in Louisiana, it ranks second in terms of economic impact on the local economy. According to the DOTD report, the Lafayette airport provides $1.1 billion to the local economy and directly or indirectly employs 4,340 workers with an annual payroll of $202.4 million.

Lafayette 64.79% New Orleans

21.97%

Baton Rouge

11.73%

Alexandria 1.49%

G E N E R A L AV I AT I O N General aviation plays an important role at Lafayette Regional Airport. The airport began as a general aviation airfield and grew over the last 55 years. There are a large number of private plane owners and businesses who hangar their planes at the airport. In 2014, there were an estimated 30,800 general aviation and military flight operations conducted out of LFT. Many were private planes used for leisure or business, but the number also includes charter flights.

Landmark Aviation provides 24/7 fixed-base operator services at LFT, including fuel, aircraft maintenance, aircraft hangars, quick turns, pilot’s lounge, crew cars and Internet access.

Noble Flight, also based at LFT has a staff of FAA-certified flight instructors with years of experience training pilots. Noble also has a full service aircraft maintenance facility. Their staff of A&P mechanics can handle maintenance needs with over 40 years of combined experience on piston and turbine aircraft. Noble also provides aircraft rentals to businesses and private pilots.

IT WAS A GREAT YEAR! LFT SET NEW CARGO RECORDS! 2013

25,431,947lbs.

2012

24,390,729lbs.

2014

25,818,110lbs.

IT WAS A GREAT YEAR! LFT SET NEW PASSENGER RECORDS ONCE AGAIN!

2011

455,377

2010

449,140

2009

419,817

FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, OVER A HALF A MILLION PASSENGERS USED THE LAFAYETTE AIRPORT IN A SINGLE YEAR For the sixth year in a row, Lafayette Regional Airport has surpassed previous records for the greatest number of passengers served. With a total of 501,101 passengers in 2014, LFT passenger counts topped previous record-breaking years, with an additional 24,169 passengers. The 2014 increase was more than double the increase from 2012 to 2013.

2013

471,332

2012

458,706

2014

501,101

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IT WAS A GREAT YEAR! FLY LAFAYETTE CLUB GREW AGAIN!

Since its relaunch in March 2011, the Fly Lafayette club has grown from 164 members to 7,650! There’s never been a better time to Fly Lafayette!

Sign up at any Fly Lafayette Club kiosk in the airport or at lftairport.com to win prizes for food, events, attractions, services and lodging!

LAC-Annual-01282014-FINAL.pdf

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THANK YOU TO ALL SPONSORS WHO HELPED MAKE THE FLY LAFAYETTE CLUB A SUCCESS THIS PAST YEAR: 2 Paul’s Radically Urban Barbeque

La Pizzeria

Acadiana Profile

Lil Daddy’s Bar-B-Q

Acadiana Symphony Orchestra

Little River Inn (& Poor Boy’s Riverside Inn)

Acadiana Travel & Cruise

Masala Indian Kitchen

Agave Mexican Cantina & Grill

Oil Center Health Foods & Whole Wheatery Eatery

Bibi’s Patisserie

Olde Tyme Grocery

Blue Dog Café

Pamplona Tapas Bar & Restaurant

Brothers on the Blvd

Prejean’s Restaurant

Cajun Donut

Raising Canes (on Pinhook)

Cajun Food Tours

Republic Parking Service

Comfort Suites - Scott

Sandra’s Café & Health Food Store

Deano’s Pizzarama, Inc.

Skate Zone

Don’s Seafood & Steakhouse

Sophie P. Cakes

E’s Kitchen

St. Martinville Tourism (Acadian Memorial and the

Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino

Cultural Heritage Center)

Express Printing

Staybridge Suites Lafayette Airport

Fezzo’s Seafood

UL Museum (Paul & Lulu Hilliard Art Museum)

Homewood Suites by Hilton

Vermilionville’s La Cuisine de Maman

Kart Ranch

Zeus Greek and Lebanese Cafe

La Carretta

Zoo of Acadiana

MEMBERS OF THE FOURNET FAMILY GATHERED TO BE PRESENT AT THE UNVEILING OF THE NEW LFT AIRPORT SIGN AND OFFICIAL PAUL FOURNET FIELD NAMIMG CEREMONY.

IT WAS A GREAT YEAR! LFT DEDICATES ITS AIRFIELD IN HONOR OF PAUL FOURNET. In 2014 the Lafayette Regional Airport has officially named its airfield the “Paul Fournet Airfield” in the honor of a man whose contribution to aviation in Lafayette have become legendary. Paul Fournet, who died 1989, was an influential force for charity and civic duty, as well as an instrumental part of the development of the Lafayette airport.

ABOUT PAUL FOURNET Paul first took to the skies as a photoreconnaissance pilot in the US Air Force, flying 50 missions in the Pacific Theater of World War II. Paul always had a strong sense of honor. After returning to Lafayette, Paul founded Paul Fournet Air Service in 1952, which would become a staple organization of Lafayette’s general aviation history for decades. Paul believed in the potential of Lafayette Regional Airport to grow and serve the community. His contributions to the development of Lafayette airport, and his philanthropy throughout the community are remembered today on the sign at the entrance to Lafayette Regional Airport and in the naming of airfield as Paul Fournet Field.

IT WAS A GREAT YEAR! LFT OFFERS DIRECT SERVICE TO DENVER! In August of 2014, United Airlines launched daily non-stop service between Lafayette and Denver. With an overall population of over 635,000 in a 45-minute drive from Lafayette Regional Airport, and Lafayette’s strong ties to Denver through the oil and gas industry, the Lafayette airport was considered an ideal candidate to offer direct service. The Lafayette/Denver connection opened with a strong response from airport customers and has became a popular route with often fully booked flights.

IT WAS A GREAT YEAR! THE LAFAYETTE REGIONAL AIRPORT WELCOMES BELL HELICOPTER AS A NEW TENANT!

ARTIST’S RENDERING OF THE BELL 505 JET RANGER X ASSEMBLY FACILITY

In 2014, Bell Helicopter announced its decision to locate a $26 million helicopter assembly facility on Lafayette Airport property. The 82,300 square foot facility is expected to bring in 250 new direct and indirect jobs once the facility is complete. The hanger will be constructing the new Bell 505 Jet Ranger X Helicopter, a light 5-seat aircraft which targets the commercial market worldwide. The Bell Helicopter at the Lafayette airport is the only aircraft assembly plant in Louisiana.

IT WAS A GREAT YEAR! LAFAYETTE PASSED A TAX TO FUND A NEW LFT TERMINAL!

In 2014 the Lafayette Airport Commission proposed a one-cent sales tax dedicated to the construction of a new

airport terminal. The “1 cent, 8 months, 1 project� tax proposal was put forth to the Lafayette community on the 2014 December ballot with collections from April 1st to November 30 of 2015 with no option of renewal. The tax passed by a margin of almost 60% of votes cast. The tax is expected to collect an estimated $37 million, which will be used with airport-issued bonds and matching federal and state grant money to raise the $90 million required to build a New LFT Terminal.

REASONS BEHIND THE TAX The current airport terminal was built in 1959 and was last renovated 25 years ago, in 1989. While it has served the Lafayette community well since its construction, the growth of the Lafayette community and record-breaking passenger counts are rapidly outpacing the capacity of the current terminal. By 2025 the FAA estimates that the Lafayette Airport will have increased its number of passengers to around 653,000. In order to keep pace with the growth of the Lafayette metropolitan area and surrounding communities, the airport commission decided that a new terminal was necessary for the community to move forward. With the support of Lafayette voters, that can now become a reality!

THE PROCESS TO CHOOSE A NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR LAFAYETTE REGIONAL AIRPORT Lafayette Airport Commission Vice Chairman Paul Guilbeau served as Chairman of the Director Search Committee, appointed by Lafayette Airport Commission Chairman Matt Cruse, charged with finding and screening applicants for the position of Executive Director of Lafayette Regional Airport. The committee was made up of two additional airport commissioners, Valerie Garrett and Tim Skinner, Lafayette City Parish Council member Kenneth Boudreaux and Stone Energy President and CEO David Welch.

The committee conducted a six-month applicant review process, beginning with 34 applications, that can serve as a best-practices example for any organization seeking to fill an important executive position.

Under the direction of Search Committee Chairman Guilbeau, and with support from Lafayette airport communications contractor SIDES & Associates, the committee: • Developed job descriptions for the position with input from the Lafayette Airport Commission.

• Created and implemented an outreach strategy for statewide and national promotion, using paid media, public relations initiatives and listings within aviation industry association websites that focus on airport management.

• Designed and produced an intensive online informational platform to inform applicants about the community, airport and job opportunity housed within the Lafayette Regional Airport website.

• Constructed an online application form to provide the ability for committee members to compare candidates side by side.

• Gathered information into binders with 34 online application submissions and resumes.

• Coordinated a meeting with the search committee to determine their first-round applicant choices.

• Conducted video conference interviews with the five highest-ranking applicants to choose the four moving to the second round.

• Traveled to home airports of four applicants with committee representatives for taped face-to-face interviews in Amarillo, Atlanta, Baton Rouge and New Iberia, with each conducted by two members of the committee.

• Distributed face-to-face online interview links to all committee members and conducted a meeting to determine the committee’s recommendations for the final three candidates.

• Coordinated background checks on the final four applicants.

• Prepared binders with applications, resumes, letters of recommendation, links to video conference interviews and to face to face interviews for Lafayette Airport Commission consideration.

Throughout the open process of seeking an Executive Director for the airport, the search committee provided media releases, updates and advisories regarding the ongoing search process and committee decisions. The Executive Director search process was concluded in January of 2015, when the Lafayette Airport Commission chose Steven Picou as the administrative head of Lafayette Regional Airport from three finalists submitted to the commission by the five member search committee.

Steven Picou, Executive Director of Lafayette Regional Airport, began his airport career in 1996 as an Airport Operations Officer at New Orleans International Airport.

Steven then served as Wildlife Program Manager and Noise Abatement Coordinator at the New Orleans airport. He accepted a position as the Noise Program Manager with the Aviation Department of Albuquerque International Sunport in New Mexico. He was promoted to Environmental Manager at the Albuquerque airport and in 2008 was named Deputy Director of Aviation at Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport in Texas. Steven is an Accredited Airport Executive through the American Association of Airport Executives. He received a bachelor of science degree in Aviation Management in 1992 from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston. Steven is originally from Cut Off, Louisiana, in Lafourche Parish.

IT WAS A GREAT YEAR! LFT CONDUCTED A BESTPRACTICES SEARCH FOR AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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Lafayette Regional Airport

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222 Tower Drive

/NewLFTTerminal

Lafayette, LA 70508

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