The Kalam-AZO Connection - WMU Broncos at the Helm of the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport

Published by Tom Thinnes on Mon, Feb 29, 2016

Airport operations are at the heart of aviation. The responsibilities of overseeing day-to-day tasks reside with the efforts of talented airport managers who are responsible for every minute detail. At the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport (AZO), these duties are held by an elite group of individuals who have a couple of strong connections: their love of aviation and their membership in the alumni association of Western Michigan University.

Currently, the four primary members of the AZO management team are alumni of Western Michigan University. Airport Director David Reid graduated from WMU in 1991, earning his bachelors degree in aviation management, with a business minor. Chris Sieklucki, Assistant Director for Operations and Maintenance, graduated with a degree in Business Administration and Marketing in 2005. In 2002, Amanda Woodin graduated with her bachelor of arts degree with a business minor and has risen to the position of Assistant Director of Finance and Administration. The newest addition to the team, Eric “Anton” Bjorkman finished his degree in 2014, graduating with a bachelor of science in aviation science and administration and a business minor. He is currently the airport’s Operations Supervisor.

At one time, each of these four was a Blue Devil, Husky, Trojan, or Northman. However, in the end, they all became Broncos, which helped to project them towards their current situation.

David Reid

David Reid grew up in the Richland/Kalamazoo area, attending Gull Lake High School. Much like whiskey and song were part of Hank Williams Junior’s family tradition, aviation was Reid’s. “Both my Dad and older brother were pilots,” recalled Reid. “For fun, when I was in my junior and senior year of high school, I would spend time at the WMU hangar in Kalamazoo. For me, it was inevitable: I always knew I wanted to go to WMU and study aviation.”

Chris Sieklucki

For Chris Sieklucki, a native of Plainwell, MI who attended Plainwell High School, life was altered when his father presented him with a discovery flight for his graduation. Reflecting back, Sieklucki remembers, “Yeah, this set me towards a very unique path. I packed up my stuff and headed south, where I obtained all of my flight training in Daytona Beach.” However, looking forward, Sieklucki knew the importance of being a well-rounded pilot. After some careful investigation, he focused on business, enrolling at Western Michigan University.

Amanda Woodin

As a student at Portage Northern High School, Amanda Woodin originally imagined her life as a music teacher. However, little did she know the impact growing up close to an airport would have on her life. Graduating from WMU in 2002, Woodin initially found herself employed with the Kalamazoo County Government. However, when a job opened up at AZO, the calling of the airport reached out to her peaking her interest.

Eric Bjorkman

The neophyte of the group, Eric Bjorkman arrived to WMU as a transfer student. Bjorkman spent his formative years as a Fighting Northman of Petoskey High School. The lure of aviation came from watching airplanes at the Harbor Springs Airport while attending school – deep down he knew aviation was in his future. Little did he realize how a conversation with a fellow student at North Central Community College and a trip to WMU’s College of Aviation would support his professional goal. The conversation led Bjorkman to investigate WMU, which led to touring the College of Aviation. “That was big,” remembered Bjorkman. “I had a great tour guide and I loved the campus. What really stands out is how much I wanted this.”

For each of these four, the best part of their job is its diversity. According to Reid, “There is so much to this job and it varies each and every day. While we all have our own set of duties, we are a team with the goal of safely operating the airport. This also requires us to share responsibilities and cross-train.”

There is no ‘turf” for these team-members. Each understands how they must support the other, requiring each to occasionally step out of their job’s comfort zone to assist the team. Talking about their responsibilities, each shares a common vision. Their work is a “big team effort” requiring “neat team dynamics.” Each saying in unison, “We must work as one.”

In general, normal duties include Reid’s responsibility to promote the airport and its service. This includes time spent developing the airport’s master plan, liaison with the aeronautics board, and tenant negotiations. According to Woodin, “I just say ‘No’ to them all day!” As the person responsible for business and finance, Woodin oversees the airport budget, finances and various grants. For Sieklucki, a regular day includes supervision of the operations and maintenance. In this capacity, he coordinates airport operations with the Air Rescue Fire department, security, airline liaison, hangar tenant relations, and general maintenance of the facility. Rounding out the team, Bjorkman supports the team insuring compliance with the Federal Aviation Administration 139 regulations, inspections, Transportation Security Administration regulations, badging and other security checks. Needless to say, these four do a lot!

Memories of time spent at Western Michigan University also permeate the conversation. For each of these four, their time at WMU was well spent, having a significant impact on their lives. The University provided incredible opportunities to grow academically, socially, and professionally.

Looking back, Bjorkman has many fond memories. “One of my best memories began during my first week at WMU,” he said. “It was Welcome Week and all new students were brought out to the College of Aviation. As a transfer student, I was a little reluctant, however the Welcome Week experience reinforced the fact I had found a home at WMU.” Bjorkman was plucked out of over 200 new students to be part of an aviation photo shoot. “That was pretty cool. I made a lot of good friends that day, many I’m still in contact with.” Additionally, while living in Henry Hall’s Aviation House, Bjorkman was a first person witness to the construction of the new Sangren Hall. “That was a neat experience. Although the noise at 8 a.m. wasn’t the best, it was amazing to watch WMU grow.”

As a WMU student, Woodin spent four years in the music education program. During that time, she spent two years in the infamous Bronco Marching Band where she played the piccolo. As a member of the marching band in fall of 1997 and 1998, Woodin played the Bronco Fight Song with the best of the best. However, it didn’t come without challenges. As Woodin remembers, “Playing the fight song is hard on the piccolo!”

When it is time for Sieklucki to speak, he ponders for only a brief second. Almost immediately he says, “My best memory at WMU is meeting my wife. Hands down.” Although he lived in the Valley for two years, he was very busy working full time. This left little time for activities at WMU other than class. However, without Western Michigan University, he would not have met his future wife, Kim “Kim’s brother went to Western,” Sieklucki recalls. “Whether it was dumb luck or serendipity, his being at WMU brought Kim to the University too. Regardless, I think I was pretty lucky!”

For Reid, the experience at Western Michigan University was highlighted by the multitude of experiences the program offered. “Sitting in classes my first two years,” he remembered, “I was surrounded by students interested in aviation maintenance, becoming a pilot, and others like me who were pursuing the management career. Each of these students brought unique experiences and their own level of passion.” Reid’s memories wouldn’t be complete without reminiscing about the academics. “Oh yeah. Laird Wylie and ‘Rocket’ Bob Aardema! Wylie’s class was the hardest one I ever took. However, each of them provided so much background in a variety of topics and skills, it prepared me well to interact with a lot of people in the aviation industry.”

Not only is the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek Airport home to these airport executives, it is also home to the annual AZO Internship offered to juniors and seniors in the WMU Aviation program. “This is a great opportunity for a student who is interested in seeing first hand the operation of an airport,” stated Reid. “We have had a number of WMU Aviation students take part in the internship program and I’m proud to say, they are all out doing great things.”

The AZO Internship ranges from six months to a year. Typically, this internship is open to all WMU Aviation students: management, flight, and maintenance. A student must be a junior or senior in the program. Notifications about the internship will be sent to College of Aviation student email accounts or may be found on our jobs/internship web-page when it is announced.