Problem Solvers: How Redmond Airport’s team is handling expansion, safety and security
Jillian Fortner
(Update: Adding video)
REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Zachary Bass has served as the director of Redmond Airport for nine years, a job that feels like running a small city.
“We have kind of our own security force. Our fire department is really focused just on the airport. We have a lot of ability to kind of do what a public works would normally do,” said Zachary Bass.
Their top priority is ensuring the safety and security of passengers, aircraft, and the surrounding airspace.
“There’s a lot that goes on at the airport that most people don’t probably realize,” Bass said.
When most people think of airport security, TSA is usually the first thing that comes to mind. But behind the scenes, there’s a whole separate team works around the clock monitoring all parts of the airport.
Jayde Hawkins oversees security at Redmond Airport, keeping watch over more than 250 camera feeds across the property.
“We have our TSA that’s here in the airport. They conduct the passenger and luggage screening for the traveling public. My department is what it takes care of. The federal compliance side,” Hawkins said.
She says the terminal currently covers around 130,000 square feet, and it’s still expanding. Engineers are already hard at work on the next big project: expanding the terminal.
Fred LeLacheur, Manager of Engineering and Construction, is bringing those plans to life. He oversees the planning and execution of development projects at the airport.
“We just need more space. We need more facilities to to really make it work well and be an enjoyable experience throughout the airport,” said LeLacheur.
He says the expansion will bring over 80,000 square feet of new space to the terminal.
As the airport continues to grow, the team is working to maintain the friendly, small-town feel travelers enjoy.
“That sense of community that we have here at this airport is really special to me,” said Hawkins. “I’m hoping with even having the expansion and having a much larger facility, we can continue to keep that same hometown airport feel.”
Operating a smaller airport like Redmond presents unique challenges compared to larger hubs like Portland or Seattle.
“We have less staff, so we’re not maybe as specialized as you would see in those larger airports,” Bass said. “So a lot of my managers and my team have to kind of wear separate hats, and become really knowledgeable on things, maybe just outside of their specialty.”
Financial constraints are another major hurdle the airport faces.
“Everything’s expensive in the airport world,” said Fred LeLacheur. “We’ve got a lot of things that we need, and it’s it’s hard to to get the money to do it. It’s just that simple.”
From security to construction to balancing budgets, it takes a dedicated team working behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly.