May Economic Development Meeting

Mark your calendars for our May economic development meeting on Thursday, May 15th, from 7-8am, at the Nite Owl Back Room Restaurants.

Guest Speaker: Rob Ratkowski, Airport Director at GPIA

Event is open to the public and Chamber members.  Coffee is included and breakfast is available for purchase.

Learn more about Rob here:

Rob Ratkowski has airports in his DNA. From childhood memories of riding on the United Airlines employee shuttle with his father at LAX to his current role as Airport Director at Glacier Park International Airport, airports and air travel have always been integral in his life. With 23 years of progressively responsible experience in the airport management industry and a lifetime in aviation, Rob has the background to make a complex organization like Glacier Park International Airport tick.

However, you won’t hear Rob talk about his own accomplishments much. He would rather talk about the staff that powers Glacier Park International Airport. As Airport Director, Rob has a broad responsibility for operations at GPIA, and he is the first to say that his work would not be possible without the committed and talented staff he’s proud to lead. “Kalispell might be a close-knit mountain town but I would put our group of airport professionals against any in the country,” Rob said. “You can rest assured that you’re in good hands when you travel through our airport.”

In addition to a rich background in airport management, Rob is a member of the American Association of Airport Executives and has earned their prestigious Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) designation. Rob has also served as a past President of the Montana Airport Management Association. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management from the Metropolitan State College of Denver.

Outside of work, Rob serves as a board member for the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce and the Flathead County Economic Development Authority. Rob is an active volunteer with his church and enjoys flying recreationally as a private pilot. He and his family spend their free time enjoying many of the outdoor activities that Montana and the Flathead Valley have to offer.