Soar ahead

Eugene Conrad has boosted Lakeland Linder Regional Airport's economic impact to $300 million — up from $162 million just six years ago.

And with the recent announcement that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration plans to operate its Hurricane Hunters team on the property, airport officials hope the facility will soar to new heights.

Conrad has the right to brag a bit about the growth he's seen since becoming the airport's executive director in 2010. He continues to increase the airport's amenities for future growth, with plans for more hangars, another hotel, a United States Customs and Border Protection facility, and eventually commercial flights to New York City, Atlanta and Charlotte.

“People who run airports have to be passionate about aviation,” Conrad says. “You need that background because there is a lot to understand.”

Conrad, 41, grew up in Oshkosh, Wis., where his father's love for aviation had a big impact. “When he passed away in 2005, it helped me refocus,” Conrad says. “I was very fortunate and had cool experiences.”

After a stint at Auburn University in Alabama, Conrad finished his degree in aviation management at Ohio State University and worked for the airports in Columbus and Dayton, Ohio and then Branson Airport in Missouri.

He says the most challenging part when he joined the Lakeland airport as director in 2010 was creating partnerships and relationships with the community. “It took about six months to figure out what direction we needed to go, and we've been going non-stop ever since,” says Conrad, a 2014 Aviation Pros magazine 40-under-40 winner.

One of the best go-go moments: The Federal Aviation Administration last year named Conrad General Aviation Airport Man of the Year for the Southern Region Airports Division.

The 1,700-acre airport has 1 million square feet of facilities with 250 acres available for development. There are 1,000 people working on-site. With NOAA, another 110 will be there. Since 2010, $100 million has been invested in the airport through FAA and Florida Department of Transportation grants, as well as private investment.

Six years ago, Lakeland Linder had 68,000 air operations. This year, it will reach 120,000. “It's the 114th busiest tower in the United States out of 516,” says Conrad, adding that they have 300 takeoffs and landings per day.

And it's not just planes and runways. The airport houses the Central Florida Aerospace Academy, an extension of Kathleen High School. The high school started in 2009. Additionally, Polk State College is poised to offer a bachelor's degree in aerospace sciences, becoming the first public institution of higher learning in Florida to do so. “We need the next generation of interest. It's the circle of life out here,” Conrad says.

Sun 'n Fun Fly In Inc. owns the high school. Its president, John Leenhouts, credits Conrad for helping the high school flourish.

“It's been successful because Eugene Conrad has had the foresight of recognizing the asset of having the academy at the airport,” says Leenhouts. “His attitude is to promote aviation. We're investing in the future.”

Sun 'n Fun has been operating since 1974. Under its umbrella is the Aerospace Center for Excellence. Any money from Sun 'n Fun events, such as air shows and aviation camps, goes back into the Center for Excellence and the high school. “We have numerous events to advance aviation and aviation education,” says Leenhouts.

One of Conrad's biggest challenges is funding. Along with grants, there is another revenue source for the airport: three solar power farms that started in 2012. Lakeland Electric buys the power, which generates $325,000 per year in utility credits for the airport. “It's a great deal for us,” Conrad says. “About 8.6 megawatts are produced by the farms annually.”

Conrad says his job is what he is meant to do. “I always knew I would be in aviation,” he says. “My job is my hobby.”