Delta Air Lines on Monday turned to someone who knows the local landscape when it named its new director of government and public affairs.

        Eric Summe, 48, was born and raised in Covington, and has been based locally as the company's regional director of sales for the last five years.

        Mr. Summe, who lives in Burlington, said one of his first priorities is to raise local awareness of the economic and social impact of Delta, one of Northern Ken tucky's largest employers.

        Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport is the second-largest hub for Atlanta-based Delta, the nation's third-largest carrier.

        “That is something that is very key to us,” said Mr. Summe.

        Mr. Summe will oversee governmental affairs throughout a 12-state region in the Midwest.

        But Delta will have a big stake in two local issues as well — the proposed new runway at the airport and a proposed new convention center, for which Delta has pledged $30 million for naming rights.

        Mr. Summe said Delta has not taken an official position on the runway project that could get federal approval by the end of the year. But overall, the company is in favor of more runway capacity nationally.

        He also said that Delta remains committed to the convention center — even if the future of that project remains in doubt. Initial plans call for the facility to be built over Interstate 75, but the Ohio Department of Transportation has said the plan may not fit with long-range plans to replace the Brent Spence Bridge.

        “A lot of cities in the Midwest have been aggressive about getting new convention centers, while Cincinnati has been in a negligible position when it came to attracting major conventions,” Mr. Summe said. “We wanted to do our part for the community, and we're hoping the project stays on track and will stay involved. And I'll be honest, it will definitely bring additional business for Delta.”

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