[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 175 (Monday, November 14, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1136]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                    HONORING WILLIAM ``BILL'' COTTER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. STEVEN M. PALAZZO

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 14, 2022

  Mr. PALAZZO. Madam Speaker, today I recognize William ``Bill'' 
Cotter, who will retire this year after 23 years of service to the 
economic development authority for Hancock County, Mississippi--home to 
Port Bienville, Stennis International Airport, and NASA's Stennis Space 
Center.
  Bill has served with the Port and Harbor Commission for over two 
decades in various roles, including Stennis International Airport 
Director, agency chief operations officer, and Chief Executive Officer 
since 2021.
  During his tenure as airport director, Cotter helped guide Stennis 
Airport's recovery from Hurricane Katrina and coordinated the airfield 
activities during the BP Deepwater Horizon response. Since 2005, he has 
overseen nearly $40 million in capital improvements at the airport, 
including the construction of the air traffic control tower, aircraft 
hangars, and the terminal building. As COO, Port Bienville Industrial 
Park's existing docks were refurbished and improved, and construction 
began on a new 600-foot dock, which will be completed later this year.
  Among other accomplishments, Cotter was instrumental in attracting a 
line of companies that resulted in Tyonek Service Group's operation in 
Hancock County. This Department of Defense contractor performs 
maintenance, repair, and overhaul operations for military aircraft. It 
is one of 30 companies at Port Bienville and the Stennis International 
Airport that together employ nearly 1,000 people,
  Upon retirement after a lifelong career in aviation and economic 
development, he and his wife, Suzanne Corso, plan on spending time with 
their three children William ``Billy'', Melissa ``Mimi'' and Nicholas 
``Nick,'' and their seven grandchildren, Mera, Gencie, Graysion, 
William, Mia, Micah, and Kiara.
  Bill has continuously gone above and beyond to leave things better 
than he found them. Please join me in thanking him for his outstanding 
accomplishments and dedication to making Hancock County one of 
Mississippi's most treasured counties. On behalf of South Mississippi, 
we wish you and Suzanne a long and healthy retirement.

                          ____________________