By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
Katie Rorick Scherer, operations manager for the Fort Wayne Allen County Airport Authority, has received a distinguished business honor.
The rural Decatur resident is one of the business leaders named to the Fort Wayne Business Weekly’s Forty Under 40 for this year.
The Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly says it “annually recognizes the very best in business by honoring top professionals and individuals in Northeast Indiana. A panel of distinguished judges determine the winners who will be honored individually at our awards reception and featured in a special section which will be inserted into the Business Weekly prior to the event.”
Scherer and her husband, Brandon, are the parents of three young children who reside on a farm in northern Adams County. The daughter of Melissa and the late Tom Rorick, Katie is a 2003 graduate of Bellmont High School.
She played softball at Tiffin University in Tiffin, Ohio, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice in 2007 and a Maser’s of Science Degree in Criminal Justice in 2009.
Katie is a member of the St. Joseph Catholic School Board in Decatur. She also is a member of the Decatur Girls Softball board and head coach of the Decatur Dynamite travel softball team.
She says she enjoys watching and helping her three youngsters in their sports activities as well as their 4-H work.
“Living on a farm, there is always something to do,” she says.
The Fort Wayne Allen County Airport Authority issued the following statement:
“Congratulations to our own Katie Scherer, Operations Manager, for being recognized as one of Fort Wayne Business Weekly’s Forty Under 40 for 2024!
“Katie is a vital part of both FWA and the Airport Authority as a whole, overseeing a variety of areas including airport operations, customer service, parking, construction projects, and much more! She is also heavily involved in American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) – including serving as first vice president of the Great Lakes Chapter.
“Outside of the airport she is active in her community and with her children – making Northeast Indiana a better place!
“We are proud of Katie and celebrate this achievement alongside her!”
INTERVIEW: The Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly published the following interview with Scherer:
WHY ARE YOU IN NORTHEAST INDIANA?
This area has always been home for me, aside from the 4 years I was away at college. For me it’s simple, it’s the people. Everyone is kind and welcoming, willing to go out of their way to help you. It’s a small community, but big enough to have a wide variety of offerings for everyone.
WHAT IS IT ABOUT YOUR PROFESSION THAT YOU ENJOY AND WHY?
I love the variety. With my current position I oversee airport operations, customer service, custodial, parking and various and assorted construction projects. There are new challenges that arise regularly within the aviation industry. I enjoy the opportunity to be strategic in how we approach them and specifically how FWA remains relevant to our community.
WHAT DOES SUCCESS MEAN TO YOU?
Success is all about what you make of yourself. To me, success is the ability to set a stretch goal and work to achieve it. Goals can be uncomfortable. We are trying new things, challenging ourselves to step outside our comfort zone. The gain is in the growth and that’s where success happens.
AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?
As a child I always admired my dad; he owned and operated an electrical business. I always said I wanted to be an electrician when I grew up, but my dad was quick to tell me I should set higher goals for myself. Looking back, I think what I was seeing wasn’t a job, it was my dad’s leadership of a company he was so passionate about that I desired for myself.
WHERE DID YOUR FIRST PAYCHECK COME FROM AND WHAT WAS YOUR JOB THEN?
I worked for my parents’ business filing paperwork but didn’t receive a paycheck; rather, money was put into my college fund. My first official job was at The Galley in Decatur as a hostess.
WHO WAS YOUR BIGGEST SUPPORTER WHO HELPED YOU ADVANCE IN YOUR CAREER?
Joe Marana and Scott Hinderman have provided me with countless opportunities throughout my 13-year tenure at FWACAA. I’ve been given opportunities to oversee different work groups, managed numerous projects outside of my area of expertise, mentored when seeking professional certifications and been supported to serve in a leadership position within our regions trade association group.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT THUS FAR IN YOUR CAREER?
I’m very proud of our team’s effort to have 9 years (and hopefully counting) so far with zero Part 139 discrepancies. This is unheard of for airports and it really takes a team approach from several different work groups. So much of what I had the opportunity to do early in my career has helped pave the pathway to more efficient operations and record keeping for our organization specific to FAA documentation. This was no small task and required cultural change and a shift toward meticulous documentation and inspection. We continue to put in place best management practices and are always looking for ways to improve. As someone who has played team sports for most of their life and am now coaching, I’m big on supporting team wins.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST MISTAKE THUS FAR AND WHAT LESSONS DID YOU LEARN FROM IT?
Early in my career I would compare myself to other people to measure my success. I was focusing on what they had that I didn’t. As I’ve grown in my career and become more confident I’ve learned that the only person I should be comparing myself to is the person I was yesterday.
HOW DO YOU REMAIN CURRENT/ RELEVANT IN YOUR PROFESSION?
Continuous professional development, building and fostering relationships with my peers at other airport and staying up to date with current events and trends within my industry.
HOW DO YOU BALANCE YOUR CAREER, FAMILY, LIFE AND COMMUNITY SERVICE?
This is something I continue to work on because to be honest I struggle with this. I need to get comfortable saying no, even if it’s to something I enjoy doing. I’m selective in what I choose to take on outside of my career and family life. I choose community service items that I’m passionate about and support the growth and development of my kids. This way when I’m not at work I’m doing something that I enjoy that my kids would already be doing or supports something that they spend time doing. I don’t have a lot of “free” time and I’m ok with that. I enjoy being active and keeping busy.
WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX?
I enjoy watching my kids extracurricular activities whether it be sports or livestock shows. As a working mom with three young children I don’t get time to relax in the traditional sense.
WHAT BOOK DO YOU RECOMMEND?
I really like Patrick Lencioni’s book “The Ideal Team Player.” This is a great read whether you are leading a team, building a team or self-reflecting and evaluating what kind of team player you are.
BASED ON WHAT YOU KNOW NOW, WHAT WOULD YOU TELL YOUR HIGH SCHOOL SELF?
You will find your path, you just have to be patient and let God lead you.
