By OLIVIA BERGMEIER
Lead Reporter - Salina Post
Surrounded by colleagues, friends and family, Salina Airport Authority Executive Director Tim Rogers ceremoniously received his final call sign from the head of Air Traffic Control Manager Brandon Walker.
"The Airport Authority wanted to give you a proper sendoff," Walker said. "So without further adieu, Airport One, Salina Tower, you are cleared for retirement. Congratulations on a remarkable clear and the impact you've had on our community."
Rogers then shook Walker's hand, concluding the retirement celebration.
A host of speakers preceded Walker, with the Salina Airport Authority Board Vice Chair Stephanie Carlin introducing the event at 5 p.m. in Hangar 600.
Carlin first told the crowd about some of Rogers' impact on recent strides in job creation and industrial growth at Salina Regional Airport.
"Under his stewardship, the Salina Regional Airport has experienced significant growth, modernization and operational efficiency improvements," Carlin said. "His commitment to excellence and passion for aviation have not only shaped the airport's success but also have enriched the fabric of Salina."
Once Carlin finished her introductions, she brought Greg Bengston, the Salina Airport Authority board attorney, to the stage to speak about his long history with Rogers.
Bengston had the chance to witness Rogers early in his career. He saw a fiery young spirit who would do jobs no one else wanted to take on when Rogers first began at the Jefferson County, Colo., airport, commonly known as the Jeffco Airport.
"I did have an opportunity to observe Tim when he was a rookie at the Jeffco Airport," Bengston said. "He had the responsibility of doing everything and anything that no one else wanted to do. But, unlike here in Salina, he got to drive all the cool stuff, so that was fun to observe him in that role."
Rogers moved to another position at the Greeley County Airport before switching to Salina in 1985. For 40 years, Bengston said Rogers worked tirelessly to bring Salina Airport and industrial complex activities closer together.
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Through his efforts, the Salina Airport Authority brought thousands of jobs to the region, living up to Rogers' mission in 1985 — to create jobs and payroll for the community, region and state.
Multiple local leaders recognized this success during the retirement ceremony. Executive Director of the Salina Kansas Community Economic Development Organization Mitch Robinson and City of Salina Mayor Bill Longbine spoke about how Rogers brought successful enterprises to the region and completely transformed the city's industrial area.
Longbine read a letter addressed to Rogers from the City of Salina staff.
"On behalf of the citizens and businesses of Salina, we appreciate your generous service in fulfilling the Salina Airport Authority's vision and mission for the past 39 years," Longbine said. "Our community has directly benefited from your leadership, hard work, commitment and dedication to military operations and civilian aviation has made Salina one of the most progressive airport industrial parks in the nation."
Longbine then handed over a key to the city alongside a few other gifts to celebrate Rogers' retirement.
A double Senator sendoff
Two special guests attended Rogers' retirement celebration, U.S. Senators Roger Marshall and Jerry Moran.
Both senators worked closely with Rogers throughout his career to help revitalize and improve the Salina Regional Airport and its industrial park.
Sen. Marshall addressed the crowd before Sen. Moran and said he believed Salina Regional Airpot housed Kansas' fastest-growing and most successful industrial park.
"As I had some time on the road, coming here to greet and congratulate you, I thought to myself, 'How would you explain who Tim Rogers is?' and I thought about this old Nike commercial, 'Just Do It,'" Sen. Marshall said. "The first time I met Tim, he laid out kind of a two or three-year plan, and I came back in two or three years, and he'd done it and then started his next project."
He congratulated Rogers on his retirement, shook his hand and handed the microphone to the next speaker — Sen. Moran.
Sen. Moran spoke about his history and collaboration with Rogers, beginning early in each career and aiming to continue their partnership for more than two decades.
"I was cutting a ribbon yesterday in Garden City — they have a new airport terminal, and the conversation was about Tim Rogers," Sen. Moran said. "The leadership that he provided and the role model that he plays in just aviation across the state. That's not really part of his job he's just a person that cares about other people and wants to make certain that good things happen at home."
The last speaker to introduce himself, Ben Sauceda, the president and CEO of the Kansas Aviation Museum, brought a surprise to Rogers, even though Carlin mentioned that Rogers wasn't a big fan of surprises.
Sauceda announced that Rogers is on the roster as a Kansas Aviation Museum Hall of Fame inductee. The organization will hold an event this fall to memorialize Rogers' career.
Rogers then addressed the crowd last. With his official call sign, Airport One, already transferred to the Deputy Executive Director Pieter Miller — he had high hopes for what came next for the Airport Authority.
"A function the Airport Authority was charged with, in 1985 when it organized, was to create jobs and payroll for the community, region and state, to dampen or recover from the loss of 5,000 jobs with the closure of Schilling Air Force Base," Rogers said. "I think we're reaching that level, and the diamond is shining much brighter."
Officially, Rogers will complete his career with the Airport Authority on Monday, July 1.