Steve Wilder has been elected Chair of the Kankakee Valley Airport Authority (KVAA) Board of Directors. Wilder will lead the Board of Directors in fulfilling the KVAA's strategic plan for airport development and aviation in the region.
Wilder was appointed to the KVAA Board in 2009 by Village of Bradley Mayor Bruce Adams. He begins his term as Chair effective May 11, 2015. Wilder brings tremendous business acumen to his role as chairman. Wilder is the President of Sorensen, Wilder, & Associates (SWA), a nationally recognized leader in safety and security, emergency preparedness, disaster management, and public safety consulting services. The company has delivered these specialized services primarily to health care facilities, educational facilities, churches, government, and manufacturing since 1990. Prior to starting SWA, Wilder served as System Director of Safety and Security for Provena Health, and Director of Risk Management for Provena St. Mary's Hospital for many years. He is also a retired 31 year firefighter/paramedic and the former fire chief for the Village of Bradley. He also served for 25 years as an instructor for the Illinois Fire Service Institute, the state fire academy at the University of Illinois. During his time as a KVAA board member, Wilder has served as Board Secretary.
Prior to Wilder's appointment as chairman, the KVAA Board of Directors was chaired for over three decades by Robert Glade, former owner of Glade Plumbing & Heating in Kankakee. During Glade's tenure as board Chairman he was elected to the post three different times. As chairman, Glade led several major accomplishments including:
• Solicitation of funds from then Secretary Elizabeth Dole of the U.S. Department of Transportation for $4,000,000 to extend our primary runway approx. 1,000 feet. Secretary Dole later attended the runway's dedication ceremonies arriving at Kankakee's airfield on Coast Guard #1.
• Authorized the construction of several new buildings on the airfield including the new $1,000,000 FAA Automated Flight Service Station, several new executive hangars as well and additional T-hangars, and a new maintenance facility.
• Acquisition of several hundred acres of farm land to protect the environment
• Negotiation of an agreement with the City of Kankakee to annex into the City.
• And most recently, entering of the Airport Authority into a long term lease agreement with the Illinois Army National Guard for the purpose of construction a new Army Aviation Support Facility and Readiness Center.
"It's humbling to see the legacy left by Chairman Glade," notes Wilder. "I know I speak for all of us in saying how much we applaud and admire his leadership over the years. Under Chairman Glade, KVAA saw significant efficiency and infrastructure improvements, as well as admirable growth and advancement" he added. "I am honored to continuing his commitment to excellence and to supporting the great work of our KVAA leadership going forward." Glade will remain an active member of the board. "I'd be lost without him" Wilder added.
The Kankakee Valley Airport Authority was formed in 1957. The location of the airport was chosen South of Kankakee in 1959, and the Greater Kankakee Airport has been officially serving the Kankakee community since 1962. It is located 50 miles south of downtown Chicago and 70 miles north of Champaign, directly along Interstate 57 at the 308 exit. The airport is home to over 100 private hangars housing helicopter, single engine aircraft, ultralights, and turbine powered aircraft.
The Greater Kankakee Airport has received recognition over the years for its outstanding service to Kankakee County. The airport has been awarded the General Aviation – Publicly Owned Airport of the year award by the Illinois Division of Aeronautics in 2001 and 2012.
The airfield continues to serve the community today through general aviation. Over 100 private tenants and multiple businesses continue to utilize the field. In September of 2014 the Army National Guard broke ground on the Army Aviation Support Facility, which will be completed in 2017. The facility will house 13 UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters. The Kankakee Valley Airport Authority looks forward to continue to support the surrounding area in the years to come.
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