Business View Magazine - July 2024

with promise, guided by a clear vision to serve East Texas and beyond. Thompson shares his aspirations for the next few years. “The area as a whole seems to be becoming a younger population,” he observes. He sees great potential in leveraging the nearby institutions of higher learning and the new medical school to attract and support new residents. This influx, he believes, offers significant opportunities for individuals entering the aviation industry. Thompson envisions the airport as a multifaceted hub where people can engage with aviation in various ways.“People will come whether it’s to enjoy a day at the museum, take their first flight lesson, learn how to become an aviation mechanic, charter an aircraft to a faraway destination, or, of course, enjoy our commercial flights that can take them virtually anywhere through DFW,” he explains. A surge in school tours highlights the airport’s growing community engagement. “We’ve seen an unprecedented number of school tours,” Thompson 227 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 07 TYLER POUNDS REGIONAL AIRPORT