Gov. Mike Braun has appointed businessman Tom Collins Jr. as the new chairman of the Gary/Chicago International Airport Authority, replacing former congressman Peter Visclosky who resigned in July.
Collins was already a board member, representing Porter County since 2022.
Collins is president and CEO of Luke Family of Brands, a family-owned and operated business founded in 1967. Among its holdings are County Line Orchard, a Hobart agribusiness, and a network of Luke gas station/convenience stores.
After Wednesday’s meeting, Collins said he was a little surprised at his appointment.
“I didn’t know what the governor’s office was thinking or what direction they wanted to go, so when they reached out, I interviewed.”
Among Collins’ goals are the re-establishment of passenger air service at the newly renovated terminal, which hasn’t offered passenger service since Allegiant Airlines left in 2015.
“I want to really focus on air service and then just support Dan (Vicari, the airport executive director) and the staff here… but we’re going to lean into the air service pretty quick.”
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Authority vice-chairman Stephen Mays applauded the appointment. “He understands what we’re trying to do and he’s seasoned and that’s a big plus for Northwest Indiana.”
The seven-member authority now has six members. The Porter County Commissioners haven’t named a replacement for Collins’ seat yet, he said after the meeting.
During the meeting, the authority renewed a consulting contract with Mead & Hunt Inc., the firm helping to attract an airline. The contract calls for the consultant to be paid $7,815 per month for 12 months with a 10-day termination notice.
Vicari said the airport was in “serious conversations” with different airlines about providing service in Gary.
He said there could be an announcement once the new passenger terminal opens in about 45 days.
Airport operations manager Ken Cast said it hasn’t been impacted by the federal government shutdown.
He said U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents were still handling international arrivals.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.