News

Regional Transportation Alliance initiative will examine RDU finances in light of its infrastructure needs and recommend funding solutions

PRESS RELEASE

September 12, 2019

RALEIGH AND DURHAM, N.C. – The Regional Transportation Alliance, the voice of the regional business community on transportation, has named a 12-member regional task force to explore expense and revenue options for Raleigh-Durham International Airport in response to accelerated growth and capital funding needs at RDU.

The RTA RDU Airport Infrastructure Development (“AID”) task force will review relevant information about RDU’s infrastructure and operating needs and formulate recommendations for new sources of revenue and funding.

The RTA RDU “AID” task force is a diverse group of business leaders from RTA member firms who are committed to thoughtfully reviewing funding mechanisms for current and projected plans at the airport.

RTA RDU AID task force members include:

• Joe Anglim, Senior Director, Corporate Strategy, Red Hat, Inc.
• Jim Beley, General Manager, The Umstead Hotel and Spa
• Sarah Gaskill, President and CEO, Morrisville Chamber of Commerce
• Lauren Guy, Marketing Manager, HH Architecture
• Linda Hall, Executive VP and CFO, The Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina
• Rob Herman, GM/Executive Director, Workstation Business Unit, Lenovo
• Harold Hicks, Senior Director, Real Estate, Fidelity Investments
• Monty Irvin, President and CEO, Ramey Kemp and Associates, Inc.
• Dave Krauss, Managing Director, Credit Suisse
• Sarah Quinlan, Managing Director, Carolantic Fund
• Mike Schoenfeld, VP Public Affairs and Government Relations, Duke University
• Gray Styers, Attorney, Co-chair of Infrastructure Practice, Fox Rothschild

The task force will meet several times this fall and provide preliminary recommendations at the RTA annual State of Mobility event on January 17, 2020.

“Having the business community take a fresh look at our revenues and expenses creates a tremendous opportunity for the airport to share understanding, gain insight and build support. We are grateful for the partnership and we look forward to learning together.”
– Michael Landguth, A.A.E, President and CEO, Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority

“RDU reports that they are now 11 years behind in terms of implementing its master plan due to incredible passenger and air service growth. The regional business community is committed to supporting RDU and identifying new and sustainable funding solutions through the RTA RDU AID task force.”
– Joe Milazzo II, Executive Director, Regional Transportation Alliance business coalition

For more information, including FAQs, visit letsgetmoving.org/RDUAID.

About the Regional Transportation Alliance
The Regional Transportation Alliance business coalition is the voice of the regional business community on transportation in North Carolina’s extended Research Triangle region. More than 100 companies and 25 member chambers work in concert with elected and transportation partners through the RTA to advance mobility options for our current and future prosperity. RTA is a regional program of the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce. Learn more at letsgetmoving.org.

About the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority
The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority operates Raleigh-Durham International Airport. In 2018, 12.8 million passengers flew through RDU. With 62 nonstop destinations and 10 airlines, RDU connects central North Carolina to the people and places that matter most. RDU powers our region’s economy with a $12.6 billion annual economic impact supporting 5,000 jobs on campus and more than 86,000 regional jobs. Learn about the Airport Authority board, including its monthly meetings.

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Media Contact:
Natalie Griffith Ridout
919.664.7062
natalie@letsgetmoving.org