Deer Valley Pilots Association

Monthly Meeting Minutes – October 18, 2007

"The Minutes of the Monthly Meeting are subject to approval and/or change by the
Board at the next monthly meeting."

At 7:00 P.M., Deer Valley Pilots Association (DVPA) President Ray Weigold called the October meeting to order in Pan Am Flight Academy training room “B”. Board members present: Treasurer Doug Bronson, Mike Berglund, Ken Cada, Dee Grimm, Jim Little, Jim Russell, Dan Tollman.

Directors absent: Vice President Mike McNally, Secretary Stan Watkins, Bob Thomas, Whitney White.

E-mail proxy received from Vice President Mike McNally.

Members in attendance: Jim Kahn, Warren McIlvoy, Lacy Parker, Bob Urban, Bill Woods.

Associate members attending: None

Guests: Matt Wright, General Manager; Michelle Germain, Customer Service; Terry Brimecombe, Line Service, all from Atlantic Aviation.

Meeting Format:

Ray utilized the overhead projection equipment and proceeded with the planned meeting agenda and topics.

Treasures Report / Minutes of the Meeting:

In preparation for this meeting, V.P. Mike McNally e-mailed copies of the September Minutes to each Director. Ken Cada pointed out that in the first paragraph it stated these were the July minutes instead of September.  Ken Cada moved to approve the minutes with a correction before filing and posting on the web site. Dan Tollman seconded the motion, the board voting unanimously to approve the September 20, 2007 meeting minutes with correction made. 

Treasurer Doug Bronson reviewed the financial report for period September 1 thru 30, 2007.  One CD matured October 17, Doug instructed Chase Bank to move the CD proceeds into the savings account.  Dee Grimm moved to accept the Treasurers report as submitted, Ken Cada seconded the motion with the board voting to approve the report.

Jim Little brought up the results of the Bank Research Committee’s work of early 2007. After visiting 4 banks and 2 S&L’s, the committee determined a change in financial institutions would benefit the association. With a $4K minimum balance required in the checking account to avoid service fees by Chase Bank, other banks and Savings and Loans offered far more attractive plans benefiting DVPA. Ray appointed a committee of 2, himself and Doug to look into this matter and report back at the next meeting.
      ( ACTION ITEM #1 )

Guest Presentation:

Matt Wright, General Manager of DVT Atlantic Aviation. Matt brought with him and introduced Michelle Germain (Customer Service) and Terry Brimecombe (Line Service).

Matt, an aviation lover, first airplane ride was in his grandpa’s Learjet when Matt was 2 weeks old. Worked for Westwind before reorganizations took place.

Atlantic Aviation, headquartered in Plano, TX, has 69 location, In 2006, Atlantic purchased Trajen; most recently, Atlantic has purchased Mercury Air Center locations.

Matt discussed his philosophy and reviewed a number of points, most of which are captured here, in managing Atlantic business at DVT.

• Background in sales
• Studied to become a lawyer before getting into the aviation industry 
• Important to maintain a customer focus
• Allow team members to work, he takes a “hands off” approach to management
• In previous 16 months, DVT has been the 18th busiest airport in the country
• Jets are important to Atlantic’s business, Matt recognizes they cannot lose sight of small GA
• Internal cost controls ties to fuel prices
• Westwind/Trajen/Atlantic has lost market share on the field
• Likes Stephen Covey’s book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – “win/win” and “not your way, not my way but a better way”
• Matt wants to participate in DVPA events
• Strong commitment to safety
• Employee bonus checks tied to safety, $400 award per quarter
• Upgraded equipment, 2 new fuel trucks
• Marketing
• Willing to put a DVPA display in the FBO
• 51 cents off retail fuel price for regulars/DVT tenants.
• Sponsoring a “free fuel for a month” program
• Monthly newsletter
• Random distribution of “one time” 10% off fuel purchase cards.
• Commitment to compliance
• Commitment to identify customer needs 
• Commitment to compliance
• Commitment to performance
• Commitment to development of people in the organization
• Commitment to continuous improvement
• All managers have goals

Membership:

As of 10/15/2007, the membership roster indicated 386 members in good standing. Cleaning out the mail box today produced applications for 29 renewals and 4 new.  

OLD Business:

Minimum Standards:

Dee commented briefly on Minimum Standards - Specialized Aviation Service Operators (SASO’s). He feels that shops involving chemical waste, such as a paint shop, may be a long time, if ever, before one of these operations gets established at DVT. Mike Berglund added all airport runoff is monitored. The City gets “dinged” if limits are exceeded. The requirements on any business operation would be very high to insure no penalties are issued.    

Master Plan:

The consultant is still working on the plan. Initially, when completed, everyone that worked on the plan will receive a copy.

South Ramp Reconstruction:

Reconstruction work will begin in front of the terminal building to insure completion prior to Super Bowl. Work will then move to the west side of the south ramp and move east as the work progresses. Southeast hangars, there will be no access to those hangars during the reconstruction/resurfacing process. Tenants will receive advance notice and will be able to relocate their aircraft to an open tie down spot for the short duration of the construction work.

Handbook:

Revised General Aviation Handbooks are being prepared for mailing. Tenants can expect to receive a package in the mail.

New Control Tower:

One panel of glass on the new control tower cab had to be replaced as a result of delamination of the glass. A crane was brought in to hoist the replacement panel into place. Provisions were made to enable controller activity to continue with little restriction to service. 

Committee Reports:

Picnic Committee - Doug              

Doug reported on the current state of the picnic plans. There will be a ground guide to assist in parking the display aircraft. Advantage Avionics has been invited to attend. Tables and chairs have been ordered. Door prizes have been identified. Donation money has been received. A Master of Ceremonies has been identified. A guest list has been established, invitations are in the process of being made.  
                     
       ENewsletter Committee

The 14th issue of DVPA Electronic Newsletter was distributed the first week of October.  The next edition is due out on January 1, 2008. Newsworthy data is needed as preparations for the 15th issue are underway..                                                                                                         ( ACTION ITEM #2 )

NEW Business:

Dust Suppression Project:

Grading work currently underway off the approach end of runway 7R is part of a dust suppression project. The surfaced is first cleaned of debris, leveled then a chemical treatment is applied creating a surface crust which will prevent dust/dirt from becoming airborne as a result of normal wind conditions including prop and jet blast.
 
New Southeast Access Gate:

This gate is installed but has not been placed into service yet.

Banner:

No action has been taken to develop a new replacement DVPA banner. Doug said Jim and I (Doug) could talk to Carl. Ray wants to move on a banner and have it completed for use at the picnic.

Membership Committee:

Three months remain before the annual General Membership Meeting and nomination/election of new directors. The membership is to be notified at a minimum of 30 day prior to the meeting date. Much is to be done to prepare for this.                                                                    ( ACTION ITEM #3 )

Nomination Committee:

Qualified candidates need to be identified, bios written/submitted. Per Board Job Matrix FY 2007-8, the Nomination Committee has listed one member – Ken Cada. Director positions need to be identified based on term expiration and lack of participation.                                 ( ACTION ITEM #4 )

Miscellaneous:

Sliding Hangar Door

Repairs are being made. Recently, a part fell off a hangar door damaging the prop of an aircraft.

Special Projects:

Ray suggested the association develop a list of suggested public service projects
such as:

• WIFI on the north side
• Scanner radio on the observation deck
• Foot traffic on restaurant roof
• Hooks in bathrooms – for jackets, purses, etc.

                                                                                                                               ( ACTION ITEM #5 )
Planning Session:

Ray reminded everyone that we have not had a Planning / Brain Storm meeting for quite sometime, none in 2007. He proposed that we schedule a meeting during the month of November. Initial reaction indicated scheduling conflicts with at least the first 2 weekends.              ( ACTION ITEM #6 )

Calendar:

      Upcoming Events:

October 25 – 28  Copperstate at Casa Grande
November 3 – Annual DVPA picnic.
November 10 – Blue Sky Flyers Navajo Indian Christmas Airlift

Action Item(s):

1. Bank Research – Ray Weigold/Doug Bronson,  Report at November meeting.

2. ENewsletter – Publication of the 15th issue due Jan. 1, 2008

3. Membership Committee – Thomas (Chairman), McNally, Russell, White need to assemble

4.  Nomination Committee – Cada (Chairman), candidates for nomination February mtg

5  Special Projects – Ray Weigold, see list above.

6  Planning Session – Ray Weigold to set schedule.

              
Adjourn:

Ray asked for a motion to adjourn, Dee Grimm moved to adjourn, the motion was seconded by Dan Tollman and approved by the attending board members. The meeting was adjourned at 8:49 PM. 

POST NOTES:

None