VERMILION REGIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY PRESS RELEASE
VERMILION REGIONAL AIRPORT MANAGER
Date: JUNE 7, 2023
Vermilion Regional Airport Authority is pleased to announce the hiring of Teresa “Tess” Cook as our Vermilion Regional Airport Manager and welcomes Tess to her new office today – June 7, 2023.
Tess is from Lexington, KY and has relocated to Danville with long-term partner Lane Bradford and is eager to continue the transformational stewardship of Vermilion Regional Airport. Tess earned her Bachelor of Science, Aeronautics degree from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University’s Arizona campus in 2021. Her hard work and dedication earned Tess a high GPA and Deans list honors throughout her time with Embry Riddle. Embry Riddle is the premier Aeronautical and Aerospace University in the U.S.
Flying Cessna 172’s in the Embry Riddle Flight Program has yielded over 100 hours of flight time including being a Part 107 Certified Drone Pilot. This Aeronautical knowledge and skill will serve Tess well in the Airport Manager role as she understands the role of airports in the National Airspace System.
Prior to Vermilion Regional Airport, Tess worked for Silent Falcon as a professional drone pilot providing PCI pavement indexing services and data analysis to U.S. airports. A critical function for planning the life, maintenance and refurbishment of an airports most valuable and expensive infrastructure asset the runways, taxiways and apron / ramps.
Tess Cook – Vermilion Regional Airport Manager
Career
- Commercial Drone Pilot at Silent Falcon: Managed UAS operations, compliance,
airfield inspections, safety - Data Analyst at Silent Falcon UAS: Identified airport distresses to evaluate
concrete quality (ASTM 5340). - Mitigation strategies for safety management systems (SMS)
Pilot Credentials
- Part 107 certified remote drone pilot
- Student pilot with flight training in single-engine aircraft
Board Experience
- Treasurer for Yavapai 99’s (women pilots club) in Prescott, AZ
- Treasurer for World4Women at Embry Riddle in Prescott, AZ
Education
- BS – Aeronautics Embry Riddle Aeronautical University 2021
- Minors: Aviation Safety, Aviation Business Administration
- Dean’s List recognition in 2019, 2020, and 2021
Community Service
- Prepared cooked meals to support families at Ronald McDonald House
- Volunteered with Yavapai 99s at Skykids event
- Staff member at Girls In Aviation Day, promoting aviation to girls ages 10-13