BRIDGEPORT, CT (February 11, 2014) – Mayor Bill Finch today announced that Pauline A. Mize is the top-ranked finalist in the City’s national search for a new Airport Manager. Her appointment was approved by the Civil Service Commission on Tuesday, Feb. 11.
“Ms. Mize’s wealth of experience in various facets of airport management, grants and economic development projects will be invaluable as we implement the $40 million, FAA-approved safety zone improvements at Sikorsky Airport,” said Mayor Bill Finch. “She will be the point person to ensure the project is completed on time and on budget.”
The Runway Safety Area (RSA) project, scheduled for completion by December 2015, is the culmination of more than 20 years of effort on the part of federal, state, the City of Bridgeport and the Town of Stratford to improve and restore an important transportation asset within the region. Relocation of a flooding state roadway, cleaning up an environmental hazard, improving wetland areas and restoring marsh habitat are also part of the project which will benefit other parts of the community.
“The dedicated and professional efforts of all the partners in this project including FAA, EPA, DEEP, DOT, City of Bridgeport and Town of Stratford, have demonstrated extraordinary efforts to advance this and I am excited to be part of this team, “ said Mize.
Mize has been Acting Airport Manager at Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport, the city-owned airport located in Stratford, since September 2013. From 1998 to 2005, she worked for Suffolk County as the Airport Manager at Francis S. Gabreski Airport in Westhampton Beach. As airport manager, she obtained $10 million in federal funding to revitalize airfield lighting systems. In addition, she also restructured the airport administrative procedures, formed the Gabreski Industrial Park, obtained funding for and supervised creation of the Airport Business Plan, and obtained designation as a Rebuild NYNow site for a brownfield located on the facility among other projects.
Ms. Mize has worked for more than 20 years identifying and procuring federal, state and local grants for varied projects including aviation, parks, wastewater treatment and marine and economic development projects while working in various capacities for Suffolk County government and the City of Glen Cove, Long Island. Most recently, she worked with the City of Glen Cove to secure $21 million in ARRA funding to build a new ferry terminal and waterside improvements. She also served as the Senior Grants Administrator for the City of Glen Cove, and has worked for FEMA as a project specialist and economic development targeted recovery team member.
“I look forward to the challenge, and am pleased to have been selected as the City’s new Airport Manager,” said Mize. “My goal will be to make the airport a safer facility for the flying public, our tenants and the surrounding neighbors, and expand the airport’s contribution to the City’s economic development efforts.”
She will be paid [$94,161]