Columbus Municipal Airport has a new leader, as Ross Niedbalski was recently named manager of the facility, 1308 Bill Babka Drive.
The Columbus native brings with him years of experience when it comes to aviation, having first gotten interested in becoming a pilot after taking a flight in a Cessna 172 locally when he was in just grade school.
He went on to attend Kansas State University at Salina, where he obtained a Professional Pilot bachelor’s degree. Niedbalski has experience serving as a flight instructor, charter pilot and corporate pilot; however, stepped away from the profession to start and run his own trucking company for some time.
Despite this, Niedbalski said the Columbus Municipal Airport manager job came about at the right time.
“I had the desire to get back involved with the aviation industry,” he said.
City Administrator Tara Vasicek said Niedbalski is a great addition and brings a lot of experience in aviation with him to the role.
Niedbalski said he’s glad to be in the position, noting what people can expect from him at the airport.
“A desire to renew and grow both business and general aviation in Columbus,” he affirmed.
(ABOUT THE PHOTO: Columbus Municipal Airport Manager Ross Niedbalski, shown at the facility, has jumped right into his new role.)