Highlights from recent WAYPOINTS.
For the full version of the October 13, 2025 edition, click here.
HAVE YOU VOTED FOR WAMA BOARD MEMBERS?
The 2025 ballot to elect new WAMA Board members was sent out to all voting members on Tuesday, October 7th. If you have not voted, be sure to send your ballot to Mark Leutwiler by Wednesday, October 15 so it can be counted. Voting ends at 5:00 PM PDT.
Voting is limited to Management members in good standing and Associate members serving on the Board of Directors, as per Section 7 of the Bylaws.
Contact Nominating Committee Chair Mark Leutwiler if you have any questions.
LAST CHANCE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ANNUAL FOOD DRIVE
The Fly Washington Passport Program's Annual Food Drive began on October 1st. Last year, airports gathered thousands of pounds of food for those in need. We look forward to even more airports participating this year. Encourage your pilots, staff, and airport users to join in.
Click here to download a printable poster.
Last year's winner, Auburn Municipal Airport (S50), is issuing a friendly challenge to all other airports to top their total food weight of 10,547.6 pounds.
All food must be for human consumption--dog or cat food does not count. Water, flour, rice, and canned goods are all acceptable. Cash is accepted and is calculated with the formula of $1.71 equaling 1 pound of food.
Those competing this year so far, are:
- Richland
- Pearson in Vancouver
- Harvey Field
- Bremerton
- Skagit
Contact Marjy Leggett at director@wama.us if you would like to participate.
CLEAN ENERGY GRANTS DUE NOVEMBER 4
Commerce is now accepting applications for clean energy projects that modernize the electric grid, enhance community resilience, and promote solar energy deployment. Approximately $32 million is available to public and private entities.
Projects can include planning and predevelopment or construction projects for solar, energy storage, grid resilience, wind, biomass, renewable hydrogen, geothermal, and other technologies that use renewable resources to enhance Washington’s clean energy economy. Awards will range from $50,000 to $2.5 million.
Commerce will prioritize “construction-ready” projects that are prepared to begin work immediately and complete construction by June 2027. Commerce will also prioritize projects that deliver benefits to or conduct meaningful community engagement with vulnerable populations and overburdened communities, including tribes.
Key dates (all times Pacific)
• Pre-application conference #1: 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30
• Pre-application conference #2: 10 a.m. Oct. 15
• Q&A deadline: 5 p.m. Oct. 24
• Application deadline: 1 p.m. Nov. 4
Technical assistance available.
Applicants interested in solar and energy storage may apply for a no-cost feasibility study from Commerce. If the project is feasible and cost-effective, the grantee may be eligible for additional funding for construction without completing an additional application. Review the Request for Applications (RFA) for more details.
Visit our website to review the program documents for full eligibility, evaluation criteria, application materials, instructions for applying, listening session resources, and weekly Q&A documents.
This opportunity is supported with funding from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. The CCA supports Washington’s climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health. Information about the CCA is available at www.climate.wa.gov.
Apply now for Clean Energy Grants – Washington State Department of Commerce
A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
I am sincerely honored to have been elected President of WAMA for 2025. It is my privilege to serve in this capacity, as I am committed to exploring innovative ways to enhance our organization and effectively address the needs of our members.
In alignment with WAMA’s Mission Statement, which emphasizes our commitment to strengthening airport management and fostering professionalism among airport operators in Washington State, I look forward to continuing our alliance.
As we prepare for 2025, I am excited about our board and committee members' ongoing commitment to advancing our organization's goals. During my presidency, I plan to focus on enhancing our processes, continuing outreach to small and rural airports, and increasing student engagement in WAMA.
I look forward to working collaboratively with all of you to further our mission and make a meaningful impact in our industry. Thank you for your trust and support.
Lorene Robinson, C.M., ACE
President, Washington Airport Management Association
Thank you to all of our sponsors, JUB, DOWL, Paine Field Snohomish County, CivilAir Engineers PLLC, Precision Approach Engineering, Applied Pavement Technology, Walla Walla Regional Airport, Arlington Municipal Airport and the City of Arlington, Century West Engineering, The Port of Skagit, and Morrison-Maierle for sponsoring the biweekly Waypoints news bulletin. Your support means so much to us.
