SOKY Citizen: Susan Harmon
Growing up in Bowling Green, Susan Harmon probably passed by the Bowling Green-Warren County Airport hundreds of times, but she never imagined that one day she would hold the title of airport manager.
“I really enjoy it,” Harmon said of her relatively new job. “You get to meet a lot of different people and work with a lot of different people.”
Harmon is a graduate of Greenwood High School and Western Kentucky University where she earned a bachelor’s in business and marketing education and a master’s in organizational management. She taught at Southcentral Kentucky Community & Technical College for 14 years. Harmon came to the airport in 2016 as director of operations and was named interim manager in November 2018. In August 2019, Harmon was named manager, becoming the first woman to hold that position.
Before working at the airport, Harmon said that while she wasn’t involved in aviation, she always enjoyed coming to see the hot air balloons and also liked seeing various aircraft in the air during special events. That interest in aviation combined with her management skills made her a great candidate for the job.
“My management background and my previous experience as a teacher have helped me tremendously,” Harmon said. “I like to lead by example and treat people with respect.”
And while some in the community may not even realize we have an airport, Harmon knows first hand the important role it plays in the city and region. The BG-WC Regional Airport is a busy place with lots of corporate travel, general aviation, charter flights, freight, military and more. And for those flying into the airport, the facility and people there are often their first impression of the city.
“Sometimes you’re the first person in the community that people meet,” Harmon said. “And you never know who’s going to show up.”
As a Bowling Green native, Harmon is proud to welcome people to her hometown. She and her family are happy to call this region home and are involved in various activities around town.
“Bowling Green is big enough to be able to do some things, but small enough to get to know people,” Harmon said. “And it’s a great place to raise a family.”
Harmon and her husband, Stephen, and two daughters, Kayla and Kathryn, are “big supporters of Western,” she said. They enjoy going to various events and sports, and were recently cheering on the volleyball team in the NCAA tournament
Harmon is also involved in Toys for Tots as the phone coordinator, and she and her family go shopping and do distribution. She has worked with Junior Achievement in the past and hopes to pick that back up soon as well. In addition, Harmon helps with the Senior Angel Tree and serves on the board of directors for Aviation Heritage Park.
Harmon said she is happy to be able to be involved in the community she grew up in and loves. As manager of the airport, she wants to continue the growth that the airport has experienced in recent years and make it a place for the community to come to and be proud of.
In addition to the constant influx of a wide variety of aircraft, the airport also stays busy with tours, flight lessons, summer aviation camps and various special events, including hosting the Aviation Heritage Park Hangar Party each year.
“We hope to make it a friendly environment,” Harmon said. “Any time somebody wants to stop by, they are welcome.”
– by Pam Cassady
About the Author: Pam Cassady is editor and calendar coordinator for SOKY Happenings Magazine. A graduate of Western Kentucky University, she has been writing and editing for various publications for over 20 years.