Quad Cities International Airport board welcomes new commissioner

East Moline resident Shaun Taylor – marketing and recruiting coordinator for Community Health Care Inc.  – is the newest member of the regional board of commissioners that governs the Quad Cities International Airport (QCIA).

Mr. Taylor was recently appointed to the board of the Metropolitan Airport Authority of Rock Island County by East Moline Mayor Reggie Freeman to fill the vacancy left by the death of longtime airport commissioner James Jannes.

Mr. Jannes died Feb. 26 at his East Moline home. The NAVISTAR and Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals retiree represented his hometown on the authority since 2005. During his tenure, he served as chairman between 2012-2014 and most recently served as the commission’s treasurer. 

QCIA

“I am honored to follow in the footsteps of the late Jim Jannes in representing the City of East Moline on the airport authority board,” Mr. Taylor said in a QCIA news release. “I have fond memories of taking my first flight from the QC Airport as a young boy. That flight played a significant role in sparking my lifelong love of travel.”

“As a recruiter seeking to bring physicians across the country to the Quad Cities, I understand the critical role that our airport plays in the overall growth of our region,” he added. “I hope to contribute to the development and accessibility of one of our community’s essential assets.”

As Community Health Care’s marketing and recruiting coordinator, Mr. Taylor oversees the organization’s provider recruitment, public communication and marketing effort. He previously served as the director of special projects for the National Bar Association, area sales manager for the General Motors Corporation, and national marketing consultant for FTD, Inc.

Mr. Taylor was officially sworn in as commissioner of the QCIA governing body on Wednesday, June 29. He also is a member of the East Moline Community Fund Committee, Quad City Health Initiative Promotion Committee and the Illinois Primary Health Care Association Community Development Committee. He received his bachelor’s degree in organizational communication from McKendree University.

“Shaun is a great example of someone who was born and raised in the Quad Cities, left, but came back because he believed this was the best place to raise his family,” said QCIA Executive Director Benjamin Leischner.

“He not only appreciates the value of the Quad Cities having lived elsewhere for several years, he is also invested in helping our region flourish. I have no doubt he will be an enthusiastic and engaged board member which is exactly what we need as we embark on historic updates at the airport and look toward our future,” Mr. Leischner added.

There are eight commissioners on the airport authority who represent Rock Island County, and the cities of Rock Island, Moline, East Moline, Milan and Silvis. Commissioners are appointed and serve five-year terms.

In addition to Mr. Taylor, the board members and the governments they represent are: Chairwoman Jodi Fisk, Moline; Vice Chairman Kurt Donnelly, Rock Island County; Secretary Jennifer Radloff, Rock Island County; and commissioners John Malvik, Rock Island County; Debbie Healy, Rock Island; John McGregor, Silvis; and Richard Stone, Moline.

The QCIA serves passengers from western Illinois and eastern Iowa. With nonstop and connecting destinations, the airport served over 700,000 passengers in 2019. Four major airlines operate out of the airport including Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines. 

For more information, visit qcairport.com.

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