Metropolitan Airports Commission
John Welbes is an experienced communications professional with a diverse background in journalism and strategic communications. Since June 2016, John has served as the Strategic Communications Coordinator and Strategic Marketing Coordinator at the Metropolitan Airports Commission, focusing on integrated communications strategies for digital and social media, as well as website content development for MSP Airport. Prior to this role, John worked at the Metropolitan Council of the Twin Cities, supporting communication efforts for light rail transit projects. John's extensive journalism experience includes positions as a Business Reporter at the St. Paul Pioneer Press, The State Newspaper in Columbia, S.C., and the Duluth News-Tribune, where reporting on economic and business issues was a primary focus. John holds a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Minnesota and has also held editorial roles during academic studies at Holy Angels Academy.
Metropolitan Airports Commission
The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) is dedicated to providing services that consistently exceed the expectations of its customers. Whether it's providing exciting shopping and healthy dining options at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), plowing snow from one of its seven airports' runways, designing and building sustainable facilities, or ensuring the organization's long-term financial strength, the MAC strives to fulfill its vision statement: Providing your best airport experience. Created in 1943 by Minnesota state law, the MAC is a public corporation providing coordinated aviation services throughout the Twin Cities metropolitan area. In fact, the MAC operates one of the largest airport systems in the nation, which includes MSP and six general aviation airports. Together these airports help drive the region's economy and job growth while providing quick, easy access to destinations around the globe. A 15-member board of commissioners appointed by Minnesota's governor and the mayors of Minneapolis and Saint Paul establishes the commission's policies. Those policies are implemented by the commission's senior leadership and staff. The MAC and its airports are funded through rents and fees paid by airport users, not by general tax dollars.