October 1, 2019
At its regularly scheduled board meeting, the Jacksonville Aviation Authority (JAA) announced that enplaned and deplaned passengers at Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) for fiscal year 2019 to date are the highest in the airport’s history. Commencing September 2018, through August 2019, each month had the highest number of enplaned and deplaned passengers in the airport’s history for that month.
For fiscal year to date, October 2018, through August 2019, there were 7,067,882 enplanements and deplanements at JAX, representing a 16.41 percent increase over the same period the prior fiscal year.
The board elected Russell Thomas as JAA’s board chairman effective October 1, 2019. He replaces Jay Demetree, who will continue to serve as a board member. Thomas was appointed to the board by Mayor Lenny Curry in 2015. He is the chief executive officer for Availity, a national health care technology company headquartered in Jacksonville.
Other newly elected officers include Patrick Kilbane as vice-chair, Giselle Carson as secretary, and Ray Alfred as treasurer. Kilbane and Carson were appointed to the board by Gov. Rick Scott in 2014. Alfred was appointed to the board by Mayor Alvin Brown in 2014.
“Jay Demetree’s leadership helped us make the most of the tremendous growth JAX experienced this year. We appreciate his continued service on the board and look forward to working with Russell Thomas in his new role as chair,” said Mark VanLoh, chief executive officer for the Jacksonville Aviation Authority.
JAA's Board of Directors is comprised of seven members. Three members are appointed by Jacksonville's mayor. The others are appointed by the governor of Florida. Each board member may serve a maximum of two consecutive four-year terms. Two members, Frank Mackesy and Teresa Davlantes, concluded their second full terms on the board and will continue to serve until Gov. Ron DeSantis appoints their replacement.
For more information about JAA, visit www.flyjacksonville.com.
