The Moore County Board of Commissioners has appointed Ken Haenlein to serve as a member of the Moore County Airport Authority, filling the vacant position of past authority chairman Mike Jones, whose term as a member of the authority expired in September.
Haenlein, a lifetime pilot, has had an illustrious career in finance and flying, and he has been a resident of Moore County since 1987. He began flying at 7 and earned his pilot license for helicopters when he was 16 years old. He served with the U.S. Coast Guard as a helicopter pilot, flying the H-52 Seaguard, H-53 and SH-3 Sea King helicopters for four years. He was also on active duty in the Navy during the Vietnam War and later graduated from Dowling College in Oakdale, NY with a master’s degree in finance. He worked as a finance executive for National Medical Enterprises and was later a flight instructor for Corporate Airlines and a commercial and air charter pilot for Midway Airlines and Net Jets.
“The Moore County Board of Commissioners is pleased to appoint Ken to serve on the Moore County Airport Authority,” said Commission Chairman Nick Picerno. “He has an impressive resume as a businessman, entrepreneur and pilot and has had direct association with the Moore Country Airport for almost 40 years.”
In 2002, Haenlein established Time Saver Aviation LLC, a charter air company based in Sanford, and the company was later moved to the Moore County Airport. He was active in flying emergency medical flights for National Organ Procurement throughout the United States including blood and tissue samples, and human organs for transplant. In 2010, Haenlein opened an aircraft maintenance operation, Sanford Aircraft Services, and sold both Time Saver Aviation and the maintenance businesses in 2019.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as a member on the Airport Authority,” said Haenlein. “I have had a desire to serve on the Authority for many years, but having my business based at the airport created a conflict of interest. The airport plays an important role in our community, and it is important that we work to improve and protect this wonderful asset for Moore County. I am excited to work with the Authority members and senior airport staff to achieve their goals and fulfill their mission.”
Adam Kiker, who was recently elected as chairman for the Moore County Airport Authority, was pleased to learn of the Moore County Board of Commissioners’ decision to appoint Haenlein to the authority.
“We are thrilled to have someone with a strong flying/business background like Ken to join the Authority to fill the open position. He has a proven track record for operating successful flight related businesses, and he has a passion for flying and for Moore County Airport. His broad perspective of the general aviation industry will be a valuable asset to the Authority.”
Haenlein was elected as vice chairman for the authority in the Sept. 13 Airport Authority meeting and joins chairman Kiker, treasurer Tom McPherson and Eugene Horne as secretary as the officers for the Moore County Airport Authority.
Haenlein continues to make corporate flights and currently has two aircraft based at the Moore County Airport, including a turboprop TBM and a vintage 1941 Stearman biplane.
Haenlein resides in Southern Pines with his wife, Ellen.
Feature photo: Moore County Airport Authority’s newest member, Ken Haenlein, who took his oath of office on Sept. 11. Photo by the County of Moore.
Contributed.
