The manager of Richard B. Russell Regional Airport in Rome has earned a prestigious professional accreditation held by fewer than six percent of members of the American Association of Airport Executives.

John D. Carroll, airport manager at Richard B. Russell Regional Airport, has been awarded the designation of Accredited Airport Executive, or A.A.E., by the American Association of Airport Executives.

Carroll completed three phases of the organization’s accreditation process to earn the designation. Those requirements included passing a 180-question multiple-choice examination, completing a writing requirement and participating in a final interview before a panel of Accredited Airport Executives.

During the interview, Carroll was required to demonstrate his knowledge of airport management, business administration and transportation economics.

The accreditation recognizes Carroll’s professional knowledge as well as his experience performing management functions at a public airport.

Carroll now joins a relatively small group of aviation professionals who have completed the requirements during the accreditation program’s seven-decade history. Currently, fewer than six percent of AAAE members nationwide are active Accredited Airport Executives.

The American Association of Airport Executives was founded in 1928 and represents professionals working at public-use commercial and general aviation airports. The organization has nearly 12,000 members representing more than 850 airports, along with hundreds of companies and organizations supporting the airport industry.

Richard B. Russell Regional Airport is located in Floyd County and serves Rome and the surrounding Northwest Georgia region.