CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Tim Bannon, the assistant director of operations and maintenance at the University of Illinois Willard Airport in Savoy, will become the airport’s executive director, subject to the approval of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees. Bannon is currently serving as the airport’s interim executive director.
Bannon, who earned aviation-related associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, previously worked at airports in South Carolina, Michigan and Arizona before joining the Willard Airport staff in 2018.
“Serving as assistant director, Tim has proved himself to be a well-rounded professional,” said Senior Associate Chancellor Mike DeLorenzo. “He is familiar with the airport and has solid ideas on air service development, and we were delighted that he rose to the top in our nationwide search.”
Serviced by American Airlines with direct daily flights to Chicago, Dallas Fort-Worth and Charlotte, North Carolina, Willard Airport provides access to more than 230 cities with a single stop.
Bannon replaces Gene Cossey, who left in February for a similar position in Tennessee.