Honored 2022
Robert Olislagers was born on the Island of Java, Indonesia in 1954. He came to the US in 1973 to study anthropology, graduating in 1977/78 with BA and MA degrees from the University of Buffalo.
His first job in aviation was at Transit Airpark in Lockport NY. He soloed in 1983 and joined Buffalo International Airport in 1985 as an unpaid intern.
Within the year, he left for Bakersfield Municipal Airport in CA, to be the airport manager. He rebuilt the airport and resolved complex EPA issues that had blocked FAA funding. He earned the Airport Manager of the Year Award for his efforts.
In 1995, he joined San Bernardino County Airport. He distinguished himself nationally serving on the board of directors of the American Association of Airport Executives. In 1996, he authored a history of airports in the Southwest entitled “Fields of Flying” with a foreword by Gen. Chuck Yeager.
In 2000, Robert joined the Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority, owner and operator of Centennial Airport. Working with US Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, he wrote Public Law 108-7, Sec. 321, restoring federal funding to the airport. Robert tripled the asset value of the airport and raised its yearly economic impact to the community from $815 Million in 2008 to $2.1 Billion in 2020.
Following the events of 9-11, he gained competence in national and international security, becoming an Intelligence Analyst while still managing the airport. He helped write the security guidelines for general aviation airports for the Department of Homeland Security and Transportation Security Administration. He was named Counter-Terrorism Liaison Officer of the Year in 2014 for his work.
Robert wrote and helped pass legislation in Colorado creating Aviation Development Zones, and tax exemptions for aviation manufacturing companies. He served on the Colorado Aeronautics Board for six years, including as chairman in 2020.
His numerous awards include the Distinguished Service Award from the American Association of Airport Executives, the highest award bestowed in the airport industry, the Airport Partnership Award from the National Aviation Transportation Association, Man of the Year award from the City of Aurora, and citations and commendations from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
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