20o
When Wellcamp Airport in Toowoomba was little more than a patch of dirt, Sara Hales joined the team as community liaison consultant.
As part of that role, Ms Hales would spend countless hours on the road visiting the airport’s neighbours and speaking with schools and other community interest groups.
Today, four years later Ms Hales has been appointed as Wellcamp Airport’s new general manager.
A much-coveted role that oversees the day-to-day running of a multi-million-dollar domestic passenger and international cargo airport.
“I believe in what the airport can achieve for our community and look forward to continuing to work with our team to ensure its success,” says Ms Hales.
Prior to stepping into the GM shoes, which Ms Hales will officially do on May 2, she was the airport’s commercial manager.
Ms Hales led the establishment of the international cargo business at Wellcamp Airport, making all commercial and operational arrangements for the start of Cathay Pacific’s 747-8f weekly cargo service to Hong Kong in November 2016.
She also managed government departmental negotiations for the airport’s international operations, including the Cathay Pacific operation and the TSBE Access China flight to Shanghai in October 2016.
Ms Hales says she is looking forward to leading the airport business and building upon past successes.
“I remember watching the first pour of concrete in the passenger terminal a few years ago, and John (Wagner) said to me – this is an historic moment. I thought to myself, all the moments are historic around here – and there have been many – it’s been quite a ride.
“The airport is such an interesting, diverse business. It’s fun, and it will make and is making an enormous difference to people lives. This excites me and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to lead the business forwards,” says the mother-of-three.
Wagners director Mr John Wagner says he is pleased the board was able to appoint an internal candidate to the role.
“It’s great to see staff rise through the business ranks and look for opportunities to grow and develop within an organization they are already invested in,” says Mr Wagner.
For further details contact:
Izelle Barnard
Marketing & Communications Officer
Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport
e. izelle.barnard@wellcampairport.com.au