Dalton Airport Manager Wins Prestigious State Award for Excellence

The manager of the Dalton Municipal Airport, Andrew Wiersma, has received the esteemed James Stogner Award from the Georgia Airport Association (GAA) for his significant contributions to aviation in Georgia. This recognition was announced during the GAA’s annual conference in October 2025, where Wiersma was unable to attend. Instead, Dalton Airport Authority Chairman Danny Morgan accepted the award on his behalf at the authority’s monthly meeting this week.

Wiersma’s award honors his exceptional support for Georgia’s airports and related professions. He has been instrumental in advocating for funding to improve airport infrastructure throughout the state. His collaboration with the Georgia State Legislature resulted in securing substantial financial support for various projects, marking a significant achievement for the state’s aviation sector.

“I was blown away by the nomination, to tell you the truth, because I was nominated by the airport director, Greg Kelly, at Savannah International Airport. He actually knew James Stogner personally, so for him to nominate me, that really meant a lot to me,” Wiersma expressed. The award is particularly notable as it is typically given to individuals at the later stages of their careers, making Wiersma’s recognition at this point a significant milestone.

Leadership and Advocacy in Aviation

In addition to managing the Dalton Municipal Airport, Wiersma has played a vital role within the GAA. He served as the organization’s president in 2022 and 2023, and held the position of legislative chairman from 2022 to 2024. Throughout his tenure, Wiersma has worked closely with state leaders to advocate for airport funding, ultimately achieving the highest level of state appropriations for airport aid that the GAA has ever received from the legislature.

“This funding has really helped airports across the state in the last several years by enabling a number of infrastructure renewal projects,” Wiersma noted, emphasizing the positive impact of his efforts.

The James Stogner Award is named in honor of the late James Stogner, who dedicated more than 20 years as the deputy general manager of the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta before his passing in 2015. The award serves not only as a tribute to Stogner’s legacy but also highlights the ongoing commitment of airport professionals like Wiersma to enhance aviation services in Georgia.

Wiersma’s recognition reflects a broader trend in the state, where airport managers and professionals are increasingly being acknowledged for their essential contributions to the aviation industry. As more airports seek innovative solutions to enhance infrastructure and service delivery, Wiersma’s leadership and advocacy will likely serve as a model for others in the field.