Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce Recognizes Columbia Metropolitan Airport Director as Military Advocate of the Year
October 13, 2014
CAYCE, SC – The Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce has recognized Columbia Metropolitan Airport’s Executive Director, Dan Mann, as its Military Advocate of the Year.
Mann served in the Air National Guard from 1983 to 1987 and the United States Air Force From 1987 to 1992, and held the rank of Captain. He began his tenure at Columbia Metropolitan Airport February 1, 2010 and since taking the helm at the airport he has tirelessly worked to establish CAE as a Military Friendly organization. In 2010, when the USO of South Carolina established a facility within the airport, Mann led the way in ensuring that the USO’s needs were accommodated and that the organization was seamlessly integrated into the airport community.
As a member of the USO’s board he continues to cultivate the partnership between the airport and the USO, often volunteering time and resources in support of our troops and their families. In 2011 Mann ran the ING NYC Marathon in support for USO and for the past several years the airport’s annual Runway Run 5k has also been a means to help raise funds for the USO SC.
In 2012, Mann spearheaded a partnership between Columbia Metropolitan Airport and the University of South Carolina’s athletics department which led to the inception of the “Military Family of the Game” promotion. Now, prior to all USC home football games, a military family is brought to center field to be recognized for their service on the home front while their military family member serves abroad. In the years since its kick-off, Gamecock fans have come to anticipate this promotion as a budding tradition; and through this program, CAE and USC have been able to facilitate a center field home coming for two consecutive years.
Despite all of his work in support of the Military, Mann remains adamant that his work is simply the right thing to do particularly when it comes to the families of active duty men and women.
“About 20% of Columbia Metropolitan Airport’s traffic comes from Military personnel and their families, when these folks come through our facility, the least we can do is try to accommodate them and make them feel welcome,” says Mann.
Mann was one of five honorees recognized by the Chamber at their Annual Gala and Silent Auction. Of the honorees, Chamber President, Carl Blackstone says they “represent what makes Columbia such an outstanding place to do business.”
Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE)
Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) is the premier air travel provider for South Carolina’s Midlands region. The airport offers nearly 350 daily non-stop flights to 10 destinations nationwide. CAE is a self-sufficient entity and does not receive any state or local tax dollars. Visit our website at www.columbiaairport.com or on Facebook at Facebook.com/flycae.
