Only one of the two newcomers picked by Tennessee officials to help lead Knoxville’s airport after a law reshaped every major airport in the state attended the first meeting of McGhee Tyson Airport’s new governing board, but both said they were excited to get started.
“Thank you for the continued service you’ve each committed to make East Tennessee a wonderful place to live and thrive,” Jordan Mollenhour, an investor and gun ammo salesman, said to other members of the board in a statement. “We have much good work to do together.”
Mollenhour didn’t attend the July 22 airport board meeting, the first after Tennessee lawmakers vacated McGhee Tyson’s former board and wrested appointments to the panel from the city of Knoxville for the first time in the airport’s
history. The airport’s legal counsel, Mark Mamantov, said during the board meeting Mollenhour had already planned a trip before Gov. Bill Lee, a Brentwood Republican, appointed him to the seat. Mamantov read Mollenhour’s statement aloud.
Mollenhour, whom Lee also tapped to serve on the state board of education, called in to the meeting. Since airport meetings are not web-based, state law barred him from joining any discussion or voting, Mamantov said. Board members don’t direct day-to-day operations at McGhee Tyson, but they do approve major spending projects and airport policy.
The other newcomer, longtime Blount County Sheriff James Berrong, told Knox News after the new airport board’s first meeting that he looked forward to serving McGhee Tyson. Berrong, a Republican, is running unopposed for county sheriff, an office he’s held for decades.
Like Mollenhour, Berrong’s professional background comes from outside the commercial aviation industry. In addition to his work as sheriff, he’s served on boards including Blount County’s drug task force, the Blount Blue Line Foundation and the state sheriff’s association.
“I'm just very excited to be here and look forward to being part of the airport board,” he said.
McGhee Tyson, which is embarking on major building and renovation projects to keep up with passenger demand, will offer both men opportunities to help shape the future of travel in East Tennessee. The airport, which was the fastest growing of all major U.S. airports in 2024, in June was on track to break a new monthly record.
The board still has one vacancy which only the governor can fill. Under the new law, Lee can appoint three directors, while the speaker of the state House and the lieutenant governor each get two picks. The city can name three people to the board.
Patrick Wilson, president of the airport authority that operates McGhee Tyson, said after the board meeting he had not heard from the governor’s office about the identity of the final appointment.
The effects of the state’s takeover, which triggered lawsuits in Nashville and Chattanooga, have so far been muted in Knoxville. McGhee Tyson’s board has kept most of its former members – six of nine directors returned to join the new board – and both its leadership and the city of Knoxville’s officials have made no public statements opposing the state’s push for more power over appointments.
Howard Vogel, who’s spent about 17 years on the airport board, was chosen July 22 to chair the new board. He also led the previous board as chair. Allison Page, who served as vice chair on the former board, was picked to serve as vice chair on the new board.
Not much has changed for Knoxville's airport with the shift in the board, Vogel told Knox News.
“The board is continuing with its work on behalf of the airport authority and East Tennessee,” he said.
Mariah Franklin reports on technology and energy for Knox News. Email: mariah.franklin@knoxnews.com. Signal: mariahfranklin.01
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Newcomers assume McGhee Tyson leadership roles after state takeover
