Centerlines - September 2008 - (Page 35) 2 0 0 8 D O W N E S AWA R D continued from page 23 internationally,” said Bonnie Allin, who was trained by Burg and succeeded him. “He was absolutely committed to ensuring that the long-range future of aviation was secure and that Tucson International Airport would serve the community not just for 20 years, but 200 years into the future.” During his tenure, the land area of the airport increased from 2,500 acres to over 8,000 acres. Burg worked with local officials to develop a land use plan restricting development near the airport. Burg guided the airport through two major renovations, including the relocation of the main runway. In 1979, when Burg was promoted to the top spot, annual traffic was 1.9 million. When he retired in 2002, more than 3.5 million passengers passed through Tucson. Burg also introduced an airportwide recycling program, Xeriscape landscaping, as well as one of the first sound insulation programs. Tucson insulated over 1,400 homes. In the 1980s and 1990s, the airport was confronted with ground water contamination on its property stemming from the military’s use during World War II. It was declared a Superfund site. Allin said that Burg ultimately negotiated a settlement, which paved the way for the U.S. Air Force to foot the bill for the cleanup. “Mr. Burg provided very steady leadership during this trying time,” said John Carlson, the airport’s current senior director of public safety and the police chief under Burg. “He always assured us the situation would be handled and the airport authority would continue to be a viable business.” Burg “truly cared about his employees and trusted them to do the job,” said Karen Garmon, the airport’s information director, who served as Burg’s secretary. “If times were tough, he took it personally and was always concerned about the well being of his employees. I am not saying he was a pushover by any means, but he was someone you could talk to. “At our employee service awards, he always had stories to tell about someone,” Garmon said. “The reason he had stories was because of his interaction with everyone. He knew you and your family.” Carlson, who noted he did not have as close a working relationship as Garmon, said Burg “was a good boss and did many things to improve the airport authority. We are a better organization for having had him as our CEO.” At the time of his death, Richard Ducote, the transportation reporter for the Arizona Daily Star, noted, “if you were lucky enough to know him, his qualities were in plain sight. If not, look around Tucson International the next time you catch a plane. Somebody with vision and passion was in charge for the last couple of decades.” ■ A blend of experience and innovation BOMBARDIER INNOVIA www.bombardier.com BOMBARDIER and INNOVIA are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. and its subsidiaries. 383084_Bombardier.indd 1 www.aci-na.org | CENTERLINES 6/7/08 9:16:09 AM 35 http://www.bombardier.com http://www.bombardier.com http://www.aci-na.org
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