Jerry Dedge, 67, is running for the St. Augustine-St. Johns County Airport Authority Board, Group 2, in the Nov. 3 general election.

The nonpartisan race also includes John H. Wilson.

Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Dedge to the board in 2025. Asked in our candidate questionnaire why he wants a full elected term, Dedge said: "I have been on the board for a year now and quite frankly we inherited a mess. So over the last year we have been playing cleanup … I have never left something I have started unfinished."

Candidate information

Age: 67

Family: "I have been married to a Cheri Andrew for 38 years and we have two daughters and 5 grandchildren."

Party affiliation: "I have been a Republican since turning 18."

Education: Dedge listed his education in our questionnaire as: "BS/Aeronautics Embry Riddle 2011," "AS/General Studies Vincennes University 2009" and "AA/Criminal Justice St. Johns River CC 1998." He also listed extensive military aviation training courses.

Experience and public service

Dedge described his career in our questionnaire: "After 41 years of service an Army aviator, I retired from the Army and the Florida National Guard 6 years ago. During my tenure as a part time guardsman my full time employment was flying for Shand's Hospital at the University of Florida and later on at Baptist Hospital in downtown Jacksonville. I also served as a reserve deputy in Saint John's County for 24 years, and started the air unit in 1997 under then Sheriff Neil Perry."

According to the governor's appointment announcement, Dedge served as a command chief warrant officer in the Florida National Guard and as a captain at the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office. He is vice president of the Florida National Guard Foundation and a member of the St. Johns County Veterans Council.

Dedge said he is an NTSB-certified accident investigator and has served as an instructor pilot and aviation safety officer, according to his News4JAX voter's guide response.

On the issues

What sets him apart: "I have 41 years of experience as a pilot, instructor pilot, standardization pilot, aviation safety officer and NTSB accident investigator. I have ran three heliports in a combat zone to include Liberty Heliport, Embassy Heliport and Udari Army Airfield. I am currently the only board member and candidate with extensive aviation experience."

Airport terminal building: Asked about the commercial terminal that has sat empty for five years, Dedge said: "Since we only have one fixed based operator (FBO) on the field with the highest fuel prices within 150 miles and exorbitant ramp fees its time to explore our options plus competition is good … My vision would be to split the terminal up into two sides and create another FBO space on one side, and maybe a commuter airline passenger service could utilize the other side with daily flights to the major hubs like Atlanta or Charlotte."

Board governance and growth: Dedge told the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce: "My first priority as an elected board member is to remain transparent in all of our dealings, ensure we are fiscally responsible, and continue to seek out economic opportunities that will continue to grow the Saint Augustine airport."

Hangar development: Dedge said his second priority is "to continue to develop new corporate hangers as well as T hangers for the GA community" along with supporting infrastructure.

Advanced air mobility: Dedge said his third priority is exploring advanced air mobility technology, which he described as "low-altitude passenger transport, cargo delivery, and public service capabilities," adding that "the Saint Augustine airport is poised to be a front runner on this new technology."