ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Lew Bleiweis, president and CEO of Asheville Regional Airport, has been recognized for distinguished service after over 25 years as an accredited airport executive, including during Tropical Storm Helene.
The recognition, the American Association of Airport Executives Distinguished Service Award, is given out to one or two airport professionals a year, pulled from more than 12,000 AAAE members.
Bleiweis received the award during the Aug. 14 Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority Board meeting.
“His leadership and commitment to Western North Carolina were especially evident following Hurricane Helene,” the Asheville airport wrote in a press release. “While the storm devastated communities and infrastructure throughout the region, AVL remained operational and became a critical gateway for coordinated federal, state and local disaster relief efforts. Bleiweis and the AVL team worked around the clock to maintain airport operations while supporting the unprecedented response and recovery effort.”
Bleiweis acknowledged his gratitude to the Western North Carolina community in remarks after the recognition.
“This recognition is truly a reflection of the people I have had the privilege to work alongside throughout my career,” said Bleiweis. “I am especially proud of the team at Asheville Regional Airport and what we have accomplished together for Western North Carolina. Airports are about much more than airplanes and infrastructure — they connect and serve communities, and it has been an honor to spend my career contributing to that mission.”
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