Picente Names New Oneida County Aviation Commissioner

Oneida County has a new Aviation Commissioner at Griffiss International Airport.

County Executive Anthony Picente has appointed Chad Lawrence to the post.  Lawrence has been Deputy Commissioner since 2013.

“Chad has a lifetime of experience at Griffiss International Airport,” Picente said. “He has been at the forefront of its transformation from its original designation as the county airport to its recent development as the premiere UAS testing site in the country. Chad has the right skill set to continue the development we have seen at Griffiss International Airport and to keep it running as a key economic engine of this community.”

Lawrence takes over for Russell Stark, who resigned last month after four years as Aviation Commissioner to take a similar position in Stockton, California.

“I have seen first-hand what Griffiss has become and I believe in County Executive Picente’s vision of where Griffiss can go from here,” Lawrence said. “This community, which has been my home for my entire life, has one of the most unique economic assets in the entire country at Griffiss and I’m honored to have this opportunity. I thank County Executive Picente for the chance to grow this test site and airport.”