Westmoreland Airport Authority director new head of state aviation council

Westmoreland County Airport Authority Executive Director Gabe Monzo has been selected to lead a statewide industry organization.

Monzo is the new president of the Aviation Council of Pennsylvania and will oversee the organization’s various committees. He has served on such panels for more than three decades.

Part of his mission as head of the 61-year-old nonprofit group is to” show the importance of aviation to government entities,” he said.

He noted the council is pushing for passage of state legislation to authorize airport land development zones, which would offer an incentive for developing on qualifying property at airports.

“The importance of a strong aviation system has been very evident as we continue with the recovery process,” Monzo said, referring to a re-emergence from the sharp aviation industry downturn triggered last year by the covid-19 pandemic. “It is our intention to position Pennsylvania as an innovative, adaptable and integral part of that process.”

The state aviation council represents airports, fixed-base operators, flight schools, business aircraft operators, aerospace manufacturers and suppliers, air charter operators, and other aviation organizations and suppliers.

Monzo has served 38 years in aviation, completing all but two of those years in a management capacity.

His background in public safety includes serving as a life member of the Youngstown Volunteer Fire Department.

Outside of aviation, his passions are fishing and cooking.

Visit acpfly.com for more information about the Aviation Council and palmerairport.com for more about the county airport authority and its Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Unity.