WEBCAMS
The Jackson Hole Airport is a central pillar in the community, serving as our first (and last) impression to hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. The Airport is inarguably exceptional having earned multiple accolades both national and local this year alone. Fodor’s Travel named Jackson Hole Airport the “best tiny airport” in the U.S. stating that it “may be small—boasting a grand total of nine gates—but the impression it makes is mighty.”
The Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce is proud to add to its list of well-earned honors with the 2019 the Large Business of the Year Award.
Established in the 1930’s, today the Jackson Hole Airport Board employs over 90 staff members to ensure a safe and exceptional airport experience including its Administrative Staff, Airport Rescue Fire Fighting Personnel, Transportation Security Officers, and Airport Hosts are available to assist airport users.
Their mantra is “people helping people,” which is absolutely felt. Though their commitment to the environment may as well be part of that mantra as well.
At the leadership of Executive Director Jim Elwood, the Airport has continued to make both airside and landside improvements, with a focus on supporting the local community, protecting the environment, and working collaboratively with Teton County, the Town of Jackson, and Grand Teton National Park.
Jim came to the Jackson Hole Airport in 2014, before which he was the director of Aspen/Pitkin County Airport in Aspen, CO. While in Aspen he had significant accomplishments in improving the environmental stewardship of the airport. Prior to working in Aspen, Jim served as the Airport Manager in both Eagle County Airport and Pueblo Airport in Colorado and served as Chair for the American Association of Airport Executives in 2008.
Jim is the first to pass on a compliment and to credit the Airport’s staff and Board of Directors for its accomplishments. So, a round of applause is owed to Board members Rick Braun, Mary Gibson Scott, John Eastman, Bob McLaurin, and Jerry Blann.
Also this year the Airport reached the Riverwind Foundation’s Business Emerald Sustainability Tier (BEST) level of sustainability performance. Its standards are comparable to the world’s most rigorous and comprehensive environmental, community, and economic sustainability criteria.
Celebrated by the Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon, Assistant Secretary for the Department of Interior’s Fish, Wildlife and Parks Rob Wallace, Grand Teton National Park Acting Superintendent Gopaul Noojibail, Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow, and several state legislators and local leaders was the completion of its state-of-the-art $2.5M stormwater filtration system. As a result, water runoff from rooftops and all airport impervious surface will filter through the new system, removing oil, sediments and other materials before being released into the soil and eventually the groundwater.
And to round out the Airport’s long list of achievements in 2019 it is part of The Good Traveler program that gives travelers an opportunity to offset their carbon emissions by contributing to certified offset projects such as restoring wetlands and growing forests.
We’d be remiss to not point out that these are programs and projects that are not required. The Jackson Hole Airport has taken it upon itself to go above and beyond and the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce is proud to present them with the 2019 Large Business of the Year. Join us in celebrating the Jackson Hole Airport and the other 2019 Jackson Hole Chamber Annual Award winners the evening of Friday, October 25th at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar. On behalf of the many people who nominated you, the enthusiasm from the Annual Awards committee members, the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce and our members thank you Jackson Hole Airport for all you do!
This story is a part of our #humansofjhchamber campaign, which focuses on the faces of our local businesses and nonprofits. Learn about their inspirations, why started in their industry and more! Find the Chamber on Instagram at @jhchamber. For information about the program, please contact Director of Membership, Elisabeth Rohrbach, elisabeth@jacksonholechamber.com or 307.201.2301.