2025 Election

Chris Birkmeyer is the Aviation Program Manager at WK Dickson, An Ardurra Company, where he leads the organization’s project delivery and business development. A licensed professional engineer in South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina and Colorado, with more than 25 years of service in aviation and land development industries, Chris’ experience entails the full range of airport projects – from general airfield rehabilitation to major airport expansion projects. He has overseen taxiway and apron reconstruction projects with construction budgets up to $21 million as well as terminal improvements and landside development projects.

Chris is the chair of the SCAA Scholarship Committee, where he led the development of the Silent Auction to benefit the SCAA Scholarship Fund. In four years, the committee has tripled the Scholarship Fund balance while awarding more than $22,000 in scholarships to South Carolinians pursuing careers in aviation.

Chris is experienced with public service, as he has been working with airports and municipalities of all sizes across the country throughout his 25-year career in aviation and land development.

Chris was appointed to the SCAA Board of Directors in 2022. If elected, Chris will continue providing a voice for airports of all sizes, so their positions are understood.

Steve Crimm has been involved in aviation since he first soloed at the age of 17. As an Army aviator, Steve flew helicopters in Vietnam where he amassed 832 combat fight hours and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in addition to many other awards.

Following the military, he flew helicopters commercially in Canada, the Western and Southeastern United States, and in the Caribbean until 1998.  Crimm has logged more than 10,000 hours of flight time in both helicopters and fixed wing, with multiple flight ratings and certifications. In December of 2022, the FAA awarded Steve The Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award.

During Steve’s current term as a board member of the South Carolina Aviation Association, he worked to promote aviation in the state and wishes to continue to serve the South Carolina aviation community. Steve also volunteers weekly with Celebrate Freedom Foundation as a helicopter flight instructor. If elected, Steve aims to combine his 57 years of aviation experience and knowledge to serve and to strengthen the association through leadership and collaboration.

Steve continues to fly and owns an RV-10. He lives at Whiteplains Plantation Airpark (SC99) outside of Lexington with his wife Bobbi.

Steve Gould has served as Airport Director at Rock Hill – York County Airport since 2013. In addition to overseeing long-range planning and day-to-day operations at a leading GA airport, he has elevated the airport’s presence in the community by organizing the Fit 2 Fly 5K, 65^th Anniversary Open House, and Tour de York Aerial Parade. Prior to Rock Hill – York County Airport, Steve was director of operations at McKinney National Airport in McKinney, Texas and airport certification specialist at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Bridgeport, Conn.

Steve was named Top 40 under 40 by Airport Business Magazine, which identifies leaders in the aviation industry who are who are vetted on innovation, outstanding attributes, and commitment to and involvement in the industry.

Steve was appointed to an SCAA board vacancy in 2024. If elected, his vision for 2025 and beyond is to advance the aviation industry across South Carolina by fostering innovation, enhancing safety, and advocating for policies that support economic growth and infrastructure development. By prioritizing sustainability, accessibility, and strategic partnerships, he hopes to ensure South Carolina’s aviation community continues to thrive and remains a leader in the industry.

Frank Murray is currently Vice President of Planning and Engineering at Columbia Metropolitan Airport. He joined the airport in 2005, where he served as a CAD technician for an in-house engineering design team. He was involved in the Design and Inspection of airport projects for six years, including the reconstruction of CAE’s air carrier apron and two runways. Since 2010, Frank has overseen the delivery of $75 million worth of projects at CAE. Frank had a short term as an Aviation Project Manager at Mead & Hunt from 2017-2018, but an opportunity to return to CAE as the Director of Planning & Facilities brought him back to the Midlands airport. He rose to his current role in 2023.

Frank is a native of Scotland but has been a resident of South Carolina for the last 15 years after immigrating to the United States. Frank now serves on the CAE executive staff where there is a focus on aligning the capabilities of the airport with the needs of the region.

Frank assumed a seat on the SCAA Board of Directors in 2024. If elected, he aims to continue the association’s work to demonstrate the economic impact of the state’s airport system and deliver fresh and relevant programs to SCAA members.

A Native of Dillon County, Charles Taylor became airport director at Marion County Airport in 2023. In that role, Charles has made it his goal to reconnect the airport to the local community and its school system. In addition to ensuring county administration incorporates the airport into the county economic development plan, Charles has been focused on rejuvenating Marion County Airport by overseeing the completion of a runway expansion, adding fuel services, and creating 24/7 access to facilities for pilots. He hosted an SC Aviation Week event in April 2024, welcomed Breezy Flight School in June 2024, and introduced an aviation education program to Marion County Schools in October 2024 after witnessing a flight simulator demonstration at a South Carolina Aeronautics Commission meeting.

Charles is a commercial fixed wing and rotorcraft pilot with 50 years of experience and more than 16,000 flight hours. He flew extensively in Marion, Dillon and Marlboro counties as an agricultural crop sprayer for more than 40 years. An experienced public servant, he previously worked as director of Airglades Airport in Clewiston, Fla. He also oversaw Marion County mosquito control and beautification projects prior to his role at Marion County Airport.

If elected, Charles intends to work with the SCAA board to continue moving the association forward and growing its membership.