THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2008
Airport Assistant Cooney Leaving After Ten Years
After 10 years of service with Chicago Executive Airport (CEA), Administrative Assistant Peggy Cooney is retiring, effective tomorrow (Thursday).
Cooney will travel to Kentucky to be with her fiancé, who she will marry later this year.
"She has a warm and an inviting personality and is loved by all," said Airport Manager Dennis Rouleau. "She did a wonderful job for us and was a tremendous asset to the airport."
According to Rouleau, some of Cooney's responsibilities included coordinating tours and the airport's open house along with maintaining minutes for meetings and more.
Cooney notified Rouleau of her retirement at the beginning of April.
Cooney said she plans to relax, travel, and focus on writing once again. "I have never taken a two-week vacation, so this will definitely be a change," she said.
During the past 10 years at CEA, Cooney said she has learned a lot. "I leave my position knowing how the airport works, knowledgeable of all of the projects that have been and will be conducted here, how funding becomes available, and so much more," Cooney told the Journal.
She mentioned when the airport's name was changed from Palwaukee Airport to Chicago Executive Airport in 2006, "I was apprehensive at first with the new name, but it's definitely a positive thing and I like it now," said Cooney.
Cooney said she owed much appreciation and gratitude to fellow co-workers including Rouleau, former Airport Manager Ed Stewart, Asst. Airport Manager Jamie Abbott, Astrid Hasley, Kathy Pradd, Joe Wargo and Henry Paul.
"I consider everyone my airport family and I will miss them all greatly but I intend to keep in contact with all of them," added Cooney. "Also, it has been wonderful to work with both municipalities, Wheeling and Prospect Hts, I would do anything for them." Rouleau said Cooney's position will be filled sometime in May. He said there are approximately 130 applicants vying for the position.
---Richard Mayer