Leadership Washington class graduates

July 14 was Graduation Day for the 2020-21 Leadership Washington class.

Activities began at 8 a.m. at the Washington airport where class members got aerial views of the city thanks to volunteer local pilots.

They were then briefed on the operations of the airport by Airport Manager Mike Maxted and Airport Commissioners Kevin Erpelding and Jim Almelien. Volunteer pilots included Cory Farmer, Tim Swift and Luke Horak.

The airport operations include 11,900 aircraft operations (takeoffs and landings) a year, making the airport the 13th busiest of Iowa’s 101 general aviation airports.

Visitors to the airport spend $495,000 a year on fuel and other things, the ninth highest total in the state.

The economic impact of the airport is $1.9 million, 24th highest in the state.

Some 30.5 jobs are airport-related with a total payroll of $971,600.

At 10 a.m., the class traveled to the dining facilities of the United Presbyterian Home for a graduation brunch.

There, they heard remarks from Erik Buchholz, who reviewed the activities of the class since last October and related each class session to lessons in leadership.

Class members received certificates of leadership and excellence, and those with perfect attendance received Chamber Bucks. They were presented with framed class photos.

Finally, they were addressed by Washington Chamber of Commerce Director Michelle Redlinger. The Chamber sponsors the Leadership program.

Redlinger and Buchholz urged class member to become involved in the community.

The 2021-22 Leadership Washington program begins in September.