Gretchen Engstrom
Administrative Assistant
Salina Airport Authority
Gretchen Engstrom fills a vital role at
the Salina Airport Authority as Administrative Assistant.
Her attention to detail, organizational and customer service
skills help to grow the vibrant and thriving SLN Aviation
Service Center and Salina Airport Industrial Center.
Gretchen provides high-quality
administrative support for the executive staff and
first-class service to businesses, organizations and
customers of the Salina Airport. Gretchen effectively and
efficiently deals with all manner of correspondence,
prepares important documents, directs inquiries, and assists
in day to day tasks of airport management.
Originally from Shawnee, Gretchen
attended Johnson County Community College where she earned
her degree in graphic design. She moved to Salina in March
2007.
It was December 2008 when the Arnold
Group led Gretchen to the Salina Airport Authority.
Executive Assistant Kasey Windhorst was on bed rest, so
Gretchen took the reins until Windhorst was ready to come
back in January.
“The Arnold Group really helped give me
direction,” explained a thankful Gretchen. “They really
looked for a place that ‘fit’ me as opposed to just putting
me in a job I could ‘do.’”
The staff at the airport seemed to agree
because a month later the airport requested the Arnold Group
send Gretchen back to the airport. Gretchen then worked
part-time, sharing the duties of administrative assistant.
“Then I had to get a full-time job,” she
said. So when a full-time position opened a stone’s throw
from the airport at Salina Area Technical College, she said
her good bye’s, but added that if there was ever a full-time
position available she’d love to come back.
It just so happened that in mid-December,
just such an opportunity presented itself and Gretchen was
the first person to receive a phone call.
“I wanted to come back for many reasons,”
she said. “I like watching planes take off and land anytime
I want to. And I enjoy watching changes happen and being a
part of them, but most of all it’s the friendly faces and
people who really care about their jobs.”
After finishing her time at the college
the Salina Airport Authority got a sweet Valentine’s treat
when Gretchen came back full time.
“It was worth it in the long run because I’m here now and
extremely grateful,” she said.
