Company Reports - Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport
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Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport
Two brave women take the helm at Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport
Laura Canter
Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport’s leading ladies Lori Hoffman-Soares, Airport Manager, and Diane Jackson, Assistant Airport Manager, are paving the way for women in the airline industry by being a female management team in the US.As a small non-hub primary airport, Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport, based out of New Haven, CT, has US Airways for commercial service and Robinson Aviation for corporate traffic flying VIPs in and out of Yale University hospitals, which is located only six miles from the airport. Thanks to Hoffman-Soares and Jackson leading their team, their airport is known for its first class customer service and immaculate ambiance.
HISTORY AND CREDENTIALS
First to arrive on the scene was Lori Hoffman-Soares, whose first day with AFCO/AvPORTS Management was November 27, 1995. After achieving her Bachelor’s degree from Dowling College in Aeronautics and Management and her Masters in Aviation Management, Hoffman-Soares was originally hired as the airport operations supervisor for TeterboroAirport out of New Jersey and is now running the show at Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport. She has been in the business for 16 years.
Diane Jackson, who received her Bachelor’s in Airport Management at the University of North Dakota, grew up under Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and has been in with the AFCO/AvPorts Management for ten years.“Once it gets into your system, it doesn’t leave,” Jackson said of her fascination with aviation. “I wanted to be a pilot, but I had a wonderful guidance counselor in college who showed me alternatives to flying, such as Airport Management. I owe her.”
Hoffman-Soares always had a passion for airplanes, as she grew up watching aircrafts at JFK all the time. She was fortunate enough to have an uncle who was a flight engineer and was able to have exposure to commercial airline service.“I always wanted to get into aviation,” said Hoffman-Soares. “I have loved airplanes since I was a little girl watching them land and take off from JFK.”
FEMALE OUTLOOK
With not a lot of women in the aviation industry, Hoffman-Soares and Jackson are the only two female airport managers in the country. In a male dominated field, these two ladies are an inspiration as they seldom get overwhelmed by the business and still receive a great amount of respect by co-workers and customers.
“I wasn’t intimidated at all by men,” Hoffman-Soares said of being the only female in her aviation classes in college as well. “I have thick skin and a strong personality, it never bothered me.”
LIFE ON THE JOB
“I don’t think I could have a job that has a steady routine,” said Jackson. “Every day is different as different things are handed to you every day. Whether dealing with customers, employees or attendants, above all everything we do has to follow federal regulations and we have to manage a safe operation. There is not a day that’s the same and as we have a small staff, we’re involved in everything.”Hoffman-Soares commented on how all employees chip in on all the tasks, including the snow removal following a blizzard where she’s actually climbed onto a snow plow and cleaned up the snow from the runway.
“It’s a very fun, unique and crazy job,” said Hoffman-Soares. “And if you have small children, you have to have a very good and understanding spouse, as this is a 24/7 job.”
THE AIRPORT
It’s already apparent that Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport stands out due to its female leadership, but they are also known for their terrific customer service, their relationships with their frequent travelers and its immaculate terminal.
Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport exercises sustainability practices as they use all green cleaning products. They also use economic lighting fixtures in the terminals and on the runways, which are turned on medium intensity unless otherwise requested by a pilot when ATC is open. After ATC closes, Pilot Controlled Lighting is activated as needed; otherwise, the lights remain off.
Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport is also in the midst of a five year Capital Improvement Plan. Eight million dollars has been applied towards runway rehabilitation, noise studies, repaving of ramps, replacing all airfield signage, expanding its terminal that will connect their two buildings and replacing equipment needed to maintain the airfield.
“Our main goal is to get more airlines flying in and out of here, “said Hoffman-Soares. “Since 9/11 we’ve been trying to restore service to Washington and gain new destinations, such as Baltimore and other areas.”
AFCO/AvPORTS Management, who manages Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport, also manages the airports located in Albany, Westchester, San Bernardino, Farmingdale and Teterboro. AFCO/AvPORTS Management work together if they have questions or concerns.
“We feel like a family,” said Hoffman-Soares. “We all work together to make Tweed a great airport and we’re very proud of that.”
HISTORY AND CREDENTIALS
First to arrive on the scene was Lori Hoffman-Soares, whose first day with AFCO/AvPORTS Management was November 27, 1995. After achieving her Bachelor’s degree from Dowling College in Aeronautics and Management and her Masters in Aviation Management, Hoffman-Soares was originally hired as the airport operations supervisor for TeterboroAirport out of New Jersey and is now running the show at Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport. She has been in the business for 16 years.
Diane Jackson, who received her Bachelor’s in Airport Management at the University of North Dakota, grew up under Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and has been in with the AFCO/AvPorts Management for ten years.“Once it gets into your system, it doesn’t leave,” Jackson said of her fascination with aviation. “I wanted to be a pilot, but I had a wonderful guidance counselor in college who showed me alternatives to flying, such as Airport Management. I owe her.”
Hoffman-Soares always had a passion for airplanes, as she grew up watching aircrafts at JFK all the time. She was fortunate enough to have an uncle who was a flight engineer and was able to have exposure to commercial airline service.“I always wanted to get into aviation,” said Hoffman-Soares. “I have loved airplanes since I was a little girl watching them land and take off from JFK.”
FEMALE OUTLOOK
With not a lot of women in the aviation industry, Hoffman-Soares and Jackson are the only two female airport managers in the country. In a male dominated field, these two ladies are an inspiration as they seldom get overwhelmed by the business and still receive a great amount of respect by co-workers and customers.
“I wasn’t intimidated at all by men,” Hoffman-Soares said of being the only female in her aviation classes in college as well. “I have thick skin and a strong personality, it never bothered me.”
LIFE ON THE JOB
“I don’t think I could have a job that has a steady routine,” said Jackson. “Every day is different as different things are handed to you every day. Whether dealing with customers, employees or attendants, above all everything we do has to follow federal regulations and we have to manage a safe operation. There is not a day that’s the same and as we have a small staff, we’re involved in everything.”Hoffman-Soares commented on how all employees chip in on all the tasks, including the snow removal following a blizzard where she’s actually climbed onto a snow plow and cleaned up the snow from the runway.
“It’s a very fun, unique and crazy job,” said Hoffman-Soares. “And if you have small children, you have to have a very good and understanding spouse, as this is a 24/7 job.”
THE AIRPORT
It’s already apparent that Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport stands out due to its female leadership, but they are also known for their terrific customer service, their relationships with their frequent travelers and its immaculate terminal.
Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport exercises sustainability practices as they use all green cleaning products. They also use economic lighting fixtures in the terminals and on the runways, which are turned on medium intensity unless otherwise requested by a pilot when ATC is open. After ATC closes, Pilot Controlled Lighting is activated as needed; otherwise, the lights remain off.
Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport is also in the midst of a five year Capital Improvement Plan. Eight million dollars has been applied towards runway rehabilitation, noise studies, repaving of ramps, replacing all airfield signage, expanding its terminal that will connect their two buildings and replacing equipment needed to maintain the airfield.
“Our main goal is to get more airlines flying in and out of here, “said Hoffman-Soares. “Since 9/11 we’ve been trying to restore service to Washington and gain new destinations, such as Baltimore and other areas.”
AFCO/AvPORTS Management, who manages Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport, also manages the airports located in Albany, Westchester, San Bernardino, Farmingdale and Teterboro. AFCO/AvPORTS Management work together if they have questions or concerns.
“We feel like a family,” said Hoffman-Soares. “We all work together to make Tweed a great airport and we’re very proud of that.”
