PIEDMONT TRIAD, N.C., April 22, 2025 — The Piedmont Triad Airport Authority (PTAA) is pleased to announce the election of Graham Bennett as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Mr. Bennett succeeds Paul Mengert, who has served as Board Chair since early 2020.
Mr. Mengert, appointed by the City of Greensboro, has been a member of the Airport Authority Board since 2012. While stepping down as chairman voluntarily, he will continue to serve on the board through the end of his term, which concludes on April 20, 2027. Mengert, CEO of Association Management Group, has led the Airport Authority through a period of transformational growth and industry recognition.
During his chairmanship, Piedmont Triad International Airport (PTI) achieved major milestones, including being selected as the home for Boom Supersonic’s Overture Superfactory — the first supersonic airliner manufacturing facility in the U.S. — and the U.S. maintenance hub for Marshall Aerospace. Boom’s development is projected to deliver over 2,400 jobs and more than $32 billion in economic impact for North Carolina over the next two decades. Marshall Aerospace is investing $50 million into the region, creating 240 specialized jobs.
These high-profile wins have positioned PTI as a national aerospace magnet. Many additional aviation and aerospace companies are currently evaluating and expressing strong interest in locating — or relocating — to PTI. In a statement, Bennett praised his predecessor, saying, “Paul’s leadership helped catalyze this momentum, ensuring PTI remains a top-tier contender in site selection conversations industry-wide.”
Mengert also initiated and set in motion plans for a comprehensive renovation of PTI’s 40-year-old terminal, a forward-looking project aimed at modernizing infrastructure, improving passenger experience, and increasing operational efficiency.
Beyond economic development, Mengert has championed community impact through PTI’s annual Run on the Runway. Under his leadership, the event has raised over $1 million for local hunger relief organizations, including Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest N.C., Greensboro Urban Ministry, and Open Door Ministries of High Point.
“Serving as Chair has been one of the great honors of my professional life,” said Mengert. “I’m proud of the progress we’ve made in expanding the airport’s economic impact and aviation partnerships not just across North Carolina but globally. I look forward to continuing my service under Graham’s leadership.”
Bennett, appointed to the board by Forsyth County in 2017, brings extensive experience in business and civic leadership. He is the former President of Quality Oil Company, a privately held, family-owned energy and hospitality company headquartered in Winston-Salem, N.C., where he helped grow the organization over three decades. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Bennett has long championed regional economic and infrastructure development.
Earlier this month, Bennett was appointed by N.C. Governor Josh Stein to represent NCDOT Division 9 on the North Carolina Board of Transportation, the prestigious governing board of the Department of Transportation.
Bennett is also a longtime board member of the Piedmont Triad Partnership (PTP), a regional economic development organization made up of some of the most influential business and community leaders in the Triad. PTP created the “Carolina Core” concept, which includes the airport as one of its anchor megasites along the future I-685 corridor between the Triad and Fayetteville.
His involvement with both of these organizations will provide considerable benefit to the region and to the airport, as it continues to expand its role as an economic development engine for the area.
“It’s an exciting time for the Airport Authority and for our region,” said Bennett. “PTI is poised for tremendous growth in both commercial aviation and aerospace development. I’m honored to help guide our strategy and support our outstanding executive team and community partners.” Kevin Baker, Executive Director of PTAA, added, “Paul has been an exceptional leader during a period of significant expansion, and we’re grateful for his steady hand and strategic insight. Graham’s deep business acumen, combined with his regional and statewide leadership roles, makes him the ideal person to carry our mission forward. We’re excited for what lies ahead.”
The Piedmont Triad International Airport is owned, operated, and managed by the Piedmont Triad Airport Authority. The Airport Authority is governed by a board of directors representing three cities – Greensboro, High Point, and Winston-Salem – and two counties, Forsyth and Guilford. The Airport, located off Bryan Boulevard, is the center of North Carolina Aerospace.
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Contact: Stephanie Freeman
Phone: 336-665-5644
Email: Freemans@gsoair.org