In 1979 the City of Cumberland, as owner of the Cumberland Municipal Airport, established an Airport Commission to offer guidance and oversight for the local airfield. This Commission, with members appointed by the City of Cumberland, met monthly. They had no formal authority, but only offered guidance and suggestions regarding operational matters on the airfield. Among the original members of the Commission were; Dan McMullen, Bill Holbrook, Dale Nicholson, David Long, and Charlie Boner.
The Mayor and City Council members of Cumberland had limited interest in the control of their airport. With other matters considered of higher priority, they offered little time and effort in this direction. They directed the city’s Director of Public Works to oversee the airport. Two former city employees were assigned directly to the airfield to perform duties involving field maintenance, snow plowing, and general upkeep. These two personnel operated quite independently, with little oversight coming from Nicholson Air Service or from John Defonzio, the Director of Public Works.
The Airport Commission existed for several years but towards the end of the 1980’s seemed to disappear as an operating entity. In 1987, the City of Cumberland entered into an agreement with the Allegany Commissioners to transfer operating control to Allegany County. The City retained ownership of the facility, but it was considered prudent for Allegany County, with a larger tax base and the tri-state use of the airport, to support and control the field. At the time Cumberland was having difficulty in financially supporting the airport.
Allegany County reconstituted an Airport Commission in August 1990 by appointing Paul Herring as Chairman, with other members being local businessmen. This Commission reported to the Allegany County Commission as an advising body, but offered an active voice in airfield matters. They also strongly pursued the acquisition of commuter service for Cumberland, a service that had ceased under the Nicholson firm. Nicholson was in arrears for past rental fees due that had existed under the City of Cumberland’s control, but that was now transferred to the Allegany County Finance Department. This debt increased after Allegany County gained control and was a matter of grave consternation. In 1990 the Nicholson firm, with increasing difficulties, ceased to exist.
In June 1990 an Inter-Governmental Agreement was signed by Governor Schaefer of Maryland and Governor Caperton of West Virginia. Previous legislation had established a Bi-State Compact but updated legislation was passed by both states which enabled a joint effort to financially support the airport.
The Inter-Governmental Agreement signing ceremony between Maryland Governor Schaefer and West Virginia Governor Caperton in 1990. Cas Taylor, Maryland Speaker of the House, is at the podium.
It was recognized that the airport offered great benefits for air transportation to the Greater Cumberland area. The updated legislation spelled out in the Inter-Governmental Agreement firmly laid the groundwork for the formation of a governing body for the airport. That agency became known as the Potomac Highlands Airport Authority. To assure proper representation from both states, the Authority was comprised of nine members, five from Maryland and four from West Virginia. Four of the Maryland members are appointed by the Allegany County Commission and one, who has to reside in Cumberland, is appointed by the Mayor of Cumberland. On the West Virginia side, two of the members are appointed by the Mineral County Commission and reside in that county. The other two members are appointed jointly by Mineral County and the State of West Virginia. Financial support for of the airport was decreed by the legislation to be one-fourth from Allegany County, one-fourth from the state of Maryland, and one-half to be shared by Mineral County and the state of West Virginia.
In August 1990 Paul Herring was appointed as the Chairman of the Potomac Highlands Airport Authority, with David Fertig – Vice-Chairman, Lynn Nelson – Secretary, James Stahl – Treasurer, and other members being Richard Schwab, Roger Dandridge, Arch Gleason, David Long, and David Gillis. The Authority proceeded to select an organization to be the fixed base operator to replace the now defunct Nicholson Air Service. That organization, Corporate Jets, Inc. of Pittsburgh, PA, established an air service which continued until 1999 when the contract was terminated. At that time the PHAA became the operator of the facility as the fixed based operator. This is the current state of operational control of the airport, now known as the Greater Cumberland Regional Airport. The Airport Authority meets monthly and exercises direct control over the airport manager and his staff. Financial support continues to come from Allegany County, MD, Mineral County, WV and both states. Major airfield projects are financed in large part by the Federal Aviation Administration, with a percentage (normally five percent) of matching funds from the Potomac Highlands Airport Authority.
In June 1992 James Stahl became the Chairman of the PHAA, replacing the withdrawing Paul Herring. Mr. Stahl has continued to serve in that capacity to the current time.
Jim Stahl the long time, and current, Chairman of the Potomac Highlands Airport authority.
The present membership of the PHAA is as follows: Chairman – James G. Stahl, Vice-Chairman – Lee Fiedler, Secretary – Lynn A. Nelson, Treasurer – George Wyckoff, Blair Deremer, Robert K. Poling, Richard Schwab, Robert Schadler, and Cynthia Pyles.
All members of the Potomac Highlands Airport Authority serve as non-paid volunteers. For the diligent efforts of these individuals, past and present, who serve the community with their continuing oversight of the Greater Cumberland Regional Airport, all of the PHAA members are to be commended for their time and dedication.
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Wings Over Cumberland 