The Iberia Parish Council on Wednesday will appoint a commissioner to the Iberia Parish Airport Authority to fill the open seat of authority Chair-man Ron Alleman, who resigned last month.

The council will choose from three applicants: Ken Squires, Bill Miller and Bill Waldrep.

Parish Council members have said seats on this board are particularly important as the Acadiana Regional Airport is an economic engine of the parish and the board has dealt with controversial issues over the past year.

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Squires, owner of Penn-Tex Helicopters Inc. in Jeanerette, said at last week’s council meeting that he has a “proven track record as a do-something guy — no matter the political cost.”

Squires helped to secure $450,000 in grants for the Lemaire Memorial Airport in Jeanerette, and is working on more than $1 million in grant initiatives. If chosen, he said he would be the only commissioner with an aircraft business.

He said over the past 20 years he has lived here, council members have chosen weak and inactive members to the board, then complained later about “inaction and poor decision-making.”

“Airports in Iberia Parish should be and could be more developed,” Squires said. “That can only come from members with an investment in aviation and credentials. Aviation is a dynamic industry. The regulations and methods are constantly changing, and the litigation potential is higher than ever. Persons disconnected from daily aviation commerce can contribute little on the airport board in my opinion.”

Miller, a 30-year-pilot, told the council last week he brings to the table experience as an established business owner in the parish and his terms on the Iberia Parish School Board and Iberia Parish Hospital District. He also flies regularly as a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, he said.

Miller said the airport is unique and has “phenomenal” potential because the runway can land “almost anything that flies.”

Private aviation has been a big boom for other smaller airports in Louisiana and around the country, something he said he hopes to bring more of to Acadiana Regional.

“It’s always my belief that if you create traffic, it’s business for everyone,” Miller said, referencing airport tenants that would benefit from more private aviation. “We’ve got potential that’s unlimited. We need some progressive people on the board.”

Waldrep is a recently retired oilfield executive who managed the western hemisphere for his company’s operations.

He has never flown a plane, he said, but said his 40 years in the oil industry could bring much influence in bringing tenants to the airport.

“(Oilfield companies) seem to be the mass of the potential who could be involved or want to lease property out there,” Waldrep said. “That’s an interest for me. I might be of some influence in possibly attaining greater numbers of people.”

Waldrep also spoke of the airport’s potential, adding he envisions a commission and airport that is self-sustaining and bringing in needed revenue for the parish.

“I don’t think any board is ever as good as it can be,” Waldrep said. “The influence collectively that the board has can certainly shoot for higher goals and successes.”

The council will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the Iberia Parish Council chambers on the fourth floor of the Iberia Parish Courthouse.