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Bern Case given SOREDI's Inspiration Award Bern Case, director of the Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport, is being recognized for expaning business to the airport and throughout Southern Oregon. [Mail Tribune / Denise Baratta] Wednesday Jun 21, 2017 at 8:00 PM Jun 21, 2017 at 8:26 PM Greg Stiles Mail Tribune @GregMTBusiness EAGLE POINT — Bern Case's entrepreneurial and innovative qualities have developed the Medford airport into one of the best regional operations in the country. Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development Inc. recognized the Medford airport director's efforts Wednesday evening with its annual Inspiration Award during its annual meeting. "Bern inspires us because he's very pro economic development," SOREDI Executive Director Colleen Padilla said. "He's always about finding another way to attract companies. It matters to our businesses and to passengers that are coming in and out." Since Case's arrival in 1994, commercial service has grown from two airlines, flying to Portland and San Francisco, to five airlines and 10 destinations. Passenger numbers have quadrupled during his tenure to more than 820,000 last year. He's been an advocate of economic development, as well, Padilla said. "When we're trying to figure out airport service and airline service, he's able to give us the facts so that we can disseminate that information and tell businesses why we don't have 10 area carriers or why we don't fly directly to Billings or Spokane," Padilla said. "There are some constraints, but he has done a fabulous job over the years to make us a better air travel destination. He's a fan, a raving Southern Oregon fan." Before Case touched down in Medford, he worked at airports in Salt Lake City, Saginaw, Michigan, and Lubbock, Texas. He twice earned Airport Manager of the Year in Oregon and Northwest Executive of the Year awards. He oversaw expansion and construction of a new terminal, which opened in 2009. When aerial cloud seeding was ended by Federal Aviation Administration regulations, Case developed a ground-based CASPER cloud seeding system. To provide food service on both sides of the security wall, he developed Sally Port to provide for waiting-room passengers. Case also created an Oval Office knockoff for meetings and gatherings at the airport terminal. In addition to the Inspiration Award, four other awards were given out during a gathering at Eagle Point Golf Course. Collaboration Award: Medford’s Pallet Wine Co., a custom-crush firm, offers small vintners the infrastructure needed to get started. Pallet was recognized for excellence in encouraging and embracing other members of its industry who might otherwise be viewed as competitive threats. Linda Donovan, founding partner and winemaker, was on hand to share their efforts as a "vincubator" for start-ups, assisting small wineries with the chemistry, blending, barreling and aging processes. Founded in 2009, Pallet Wine Co. has 25 clients and has produced more than 1,000 wines, covering 35 varietals. Last year, the company opened its tasting room, The Urban Cork. Ingenuity Award: Ashland firm MaskIT developed a unique, biodegradable consumer product in the feminine hygiene consumer market. Founder Shallan Ramsey gained $600,000 backing from Southern Oregon Angel Network. MaskIT products are available at retailers and on Amazon.com. Prosperity Award: Lithia Motors is among the fastest growing Fortune 500 companies with 160 locations and 12,000 employees across 18 states. The company’s 2016 revenue grew 10 percent. Since 2010, revenue has grown 400 percent. Lithia Motors, founded in 1946, employs 1,200 locally. Tenacity Award: Contract machine shop Varney Manufacturing was established in 2003. The company endured its worst year on record in 2015, only to follow with its best year in 2016. The company, led by Gary Varney, has adapted to market ups and downs to meet the needs of an evolving customer base. Its work ranges from the assembly of precision parts for commercial and aerospace companies to high-end ear buds. — Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 541-776-4463 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GregMTBusiness, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/greg.stiles.31.