The Board members of the DeKalb County Airport Authority are appointed by the DeKalb County Commissioners and serve a 4 year term with no term limits.  Appointments are staggered so that not more than 2 new Board members would begin their term at the same time.

jess-myersAirport Authority Board President, Jess Myers

Jess graduated from Heritage High School (Monroeville Indiana) in 1974. Jess studied 2 years at Ball State University, and 1 year at IPFW before hiring in at Dana Corporation in Fort Wayne in June of 1976 where he has been employed for 38 years. At Dana Corporation he has been involved in negotiating 5 of their labor contracts as a member of United Steel Workers Union. Jess also served 10 years on the Auburn City Park Board, 10 years on the Auburn City Plan Commission, and 2 years as a Girls Volleyball Coach at DeKalb High School. His hobbies include any University of Tennessee sports, and Golf. Jess has been married to his wife Brenda for 33 years and they reside in Auburn Indiana.  They have 2 sons and 3 grandchildren.

Airport Authority Vice President, Jerry Korchyk

Jerry Korchyk is serving on the DCAA Board in his 3rd term which started 01/01/2025 and ends 12/31/2028.  He graduated from Northrop High School in Fort Wayne Indiana in 1980 and studied Computer Science at IPFW before entering into a newly formed family owned business near Angola, Indiana.  After 9 years of self-employed business life, Jerry pivoted to a rewarding career in Customer Support, then Information Technology at Tempus Technologies in Auburn, Indiana.  In his free time, Jerry serves on the board of the Auburn Area Kiwanis Club and has served as secretary, treasurer, and president at various times. He is also serving his 24th year on the board of Cedar Lake Church of the Brethren, currently as board secretary.  Jerry’s hobbies include home maintenance, GA pilot and aircraft ownership, travel and service to others.  Jerry and his wife, Susan, have been married for 32 years and live in Auburn Indiana. They have two adult daughters, two son’s-in-law and two granddaughters, all of whom are their pride and joy.

Airport Authority Secretary, Randy Fox

Randy Fox was born in Detroit, Michigan immigrating to Auburn Indiana in 1967.  Following graduation from DeKalb High School in 1970, he attended IPFW for two years as a Biology Major.  He was married in 1974 to Lori Raub of Auburn; she taught at Riverdale Elementary, St. Joe, Indiana for 38 years, they have one son.  Randy and Lori were members of Act 1 and are members of Auburn Actors Theater, served as lifeguards at the Auburn Community Pool and each earned their Black Belt in Karate.  Randy worked for Essex International for 4 years and, following EMT Training, was hired by DeKalb Memorial Hospital Emergency Medical Service where he held every position within the service including Basic EMT, Advanced EMT, Emergency Paramedic, Training Officer, Assistant Director and EMS Director for the last 20 of his 38 years with EMS, retiring in 2014.  Randy represented EMS as a commissioner of the Indiana Integrated Public Safety Communications committee for 10 years and was part of the committee that developed the DeKalb County Central Communications / 911 facility.  He is a licensed private pilot; a PADI certified open water SCUBA diver, served as the course coordinator for the second regional Advanced Life Support Training program at Lutheran Hospital, was elected for two consecutive terms to the office of DeKalb County Coroner, served on the board of directors of the Indiana Ambulance Association and served two years as president of the association.  In retirement he is providing technical assistance to Bowers Engineering Services of Auburn and PowerBlast, LLC of Wolcottville.

Airport Authority Member, Brad McDaniel

“Brad McDaniel is a lifelong resident of DeKalb County and has spent his career serving his community and country. He served in the United States Army, retiring as a Command Sergeant Major. He currently works in the federal government and has previously worked locally with Youth for Christ, the DeKalb County YMCA and as a Realtor.

Brad earned a Bachelor of Science degree in History Education from Huntington University and a Master’s degree in Leadership from Trine University, where he also earned graduate certificates in Strategic Foresight and Entrepreneurship.

Brad has been active in the DeKalb County community, serving as a past president of DeKalb County Trails, Treasurer of the DeKalb Visitors Bureau Board of Directors, and a member of the Auburn Downtown Advisory Committee, a predecessor to Auburn Main Street. These experiences have strengthened his interest in economic development and the continued growth and success of DeKalb County.

An aviation enthusiast, Brad earned his private pilot’s license at DeKalb County Airport in 2012. He believes the airport is an important asset to DeKalb County and Northeast Indiana and is interested in helping strengthen its role as an economic and community resource.

Brad and his wife, Kendra, have three children and reside in Auburn. He enjoys spending time with his family and remains passionate about the community he has called home his entire life.”

Airport Authority Member, John Kruse

John Kruse is an entrepreneur born and raised in Auburn, Indiana. His business endeavors allow for extensive air travel around the country and abroad. His goal in contributing as a board member is to use this business and travel experience to assist the airport as an economic gateway to northeast Indiana.

A lifelong learner, John is a licensed auctioneer and real estate broker, as well as a certified appraiser. He currently serves in many capacities including as the Principal, Auctioneer, and Chief Appraiser of Worldwide Auctioneers, a boutique collector car auction company he founded 20 years ago, Managing Director of Kruse Plaza – Northeast Indiana’s premier event center, President of the Reppert Education Institute, and strategic consultant in software, advanced manufacturing, energy-efficiency and block-chain technologies. His entrepreneurial spirit has allowed him to create, own, and operate dozens of other businesses, many taking him around the world making deals with leaders from all backgrounds.  A service-oriented solutions provider, John grew up in and around public service and has served on many community boards and in the political and public policy arena, including being elected twice as a township trustee of Jackson Township; home to Auburn-DeKalb Executive Airport. He remains active in local, state, and national politics and working on public policy.

He is a past trustee of the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum, a National Historic Landmark and globally recognized non-profit institution. He currently serves on many other boards including as Chairman of the Indiana Auction Commission, SEMA PAC national board, and as Chairman of the Board for the J. Kruse Education Center a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit that works as a career exploration center and career coaching academy.

John has been married to his wife Abby for over 20 years and they, along with their children, reside in Auburn, Indiana close to the airport.

John is committed to DeKalb County and Auburn and firmly believes the airport is an integral part of future success.