TRIBUTE TO BILL COTTER
Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 190
(Senate - December 7, 2022) PDF
Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, I am pleased to commend Mr.
Bill Cotter for his service and contributions to the State of
Mississippi in his 23 years of service with the Hancock County Port and
Harbor Commission.
Bill is retiring as CEO, but his record of leadership with the
commission extends well beyond his latest role. In addition to CEO,
Bill has served as the director of Stennis International Airport, as
well as the chief operations officer for the facility as a whole, which
includes the airport, its surrounding commercial property, and the Port
Bienville Industrial Park, located on the Pearl River in southwest
Mississippi.
While advancing into greater positions of responsibility, Bill's
guidance helped the Hancock Port and Harbor Commission meet challenges
head-on and achieve enormous success. As airport director, Bill led
Stennis Airport's recovery from Hurricane Katrina, and he coordinated
the tasks necessary for transitioning the airfield into a disaster
response staging area during the BP Deepwater Horizon crisis.
Bill's contributions to the agency are also felt through his project
management undertakings. Since 2005, Bill has overseen nearly $40
million in capital improvements at Stennis International Airport, which
have proved invaluable in enabling the facility to serve as a resource
in meeting the aviation needs of both the military, businesses, and
industry.
The Port and Harbor Commission's maritime business has also thrived
under Bill's leadership. During his tenure as chief operating officer,
existing docks at Port Bienville were refurbished and improved, and
construction is underway on a new 600-foot dock.
The Hancock Port and Harbor Commission has consistently fulfilled its
economic development mission, and Bill is a big reason why. Through his
efforts, numerous companies have located on commission properties,
including the U.S. Department of Defense contractor Tyonek Service
Group, which performs a wide range of aircraft service operations and
has been a vital catalyst in the success of the Stennis International
Airport in attracting and serving military customers.
In conclusion, the value provided by Hancock Port and Harbor
Commission has been made more appealing through Bill's leadership and
hard work. The resulting economic growth and development is felt on
multiple layers throughout Hancock County and has brought about a
quality of life revered by residents and visitors alike.
With his retirement from the Hancock County Port and Harbor
Commission, I thank Bill Cotter for his long and dedicated service to
Hancock County, my State, and our Nation. I wish him a retirement
filled with opportunities for him and his wife to spend time with their
children and grandchildren.