Miner to appoint Mannion to serve as chair of Airport Authority board

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Patrick Mannion will begin serving as chairman of the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority (SRAA) board of directors, effective this Friday.

Mannion is currently the board’s vice chair and is also a member of the SRAA’s audit committee.

Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner plans to appoint Mannion, based on the recommendation of the SRAA board-development committee, Miner’s office said in a news release issued Tuesday afternoon.

The development committee made the recommendation after receiving the resignation of William Fisher, who has served as SRAA board chair since 2011.

Fisher will remain a member of the SRAA board, Miner’s office said. Fisher also serves as the Onondaga County deputy county executive.

The SRAA earlier this year formed a board-development committee to make recommendations for board vacancies and provide “strategic” planning guidance.

The board-development committee, upon learning of Fisher’s plan to step down as chair, recommended Mannion’s appointment.

The group cited Mannion’s experience, “extensive” knowledge of the airport’s strategic plan, operations, and the board’s priorities, according to Miner’s office.

Mannion’s current term on the board expires on Dec. 31, 2018.

Beyond his duties with the SRAA board, Mannion works as vice chair of the Columbian Financial Group in Franklin Square and has a “long history” of working in the insurance and financial-services industry in Central New York.

Mannion is the son of Mayor Miner’s husband, Jack Mannion.

Since the inception of the SRAA, Syracuse Hancock International Airport has transitioned from operating as a City of Syracuse department to functioning under the control of the authority.

Under the SRAA, Hancock Airport has reduced security costs and implemented new air service, including low-cost travel on Allegiant Airlines (NASDAQ: ALGT), Miner’s office said.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com

Story updated Sept. 8, 12:00 p.m.