Marianna Honors Two Leaders with Airport Road Naming

By: Shelia Mader

Two men whose work helped shape the direction of Jackson County’s growth and opportunity are now permanently part of the landscape they worked to improve.

The City of Marianna has named two roadways at the Marianna Municipal Airport in honor of Brig. Gen. James “Jim” Hart Jr. and Bill Stanton, recognizing their decades of leadership, service and commitment to the community.

For those familiar with the airport’s history and the county’s economic development efforts, the names are more than ceremonial. They represent years of steady work behind the scenes to build something lasting.

Brig. Gen. Jim Hart’s career took him around the world, but his roots have always been in Jackson County.

A graduate of Chipola College, Hart was part of the institution’s earliest days, even helping clear land for the campus as a young man. He went on to serve 37 years in the U.S. Air Force, rising to the rank of brigadier general, and later built a successful civilian career in public affairs and the energy sector.

After retiring, Hart returned to Jackson County and continued to invest his time and resources into the community that helped launch his career. He has remained a strong supporter of Chipola College, contributing to scholarships and mentoring students.

At the airport, Hart’s impact has been especially visible. A longtime pilot, he has spent years certifying and recertifying young aviators, helping guide the next generation into aviation careers. His deep ties to the Marianna Municipal Airport include years of service on the airport board, where he also served as chairman.

Hart has been a consistent advocate for expanding aviation opportunities locally, including efforts to bring flight training programs to Marianna and connect those programs with educational pathways through Chipola College.

While Hart helped connect aviation and education, Bill Stanton focused on positioning Jackson County for growth.

As executive director of the Jackson County Development Council, Stanton played a central role in the county’s economic development strategy. He worked to recruit new industry, market local assets and coordinate efforts between business leaders, government and regional partners.

One of Stanton’s key priorities was elevating the role of the Marianna Municipal Airport and surrounding industrial park as drivers of economic opportunity. He supported infrastructure improvements, including runway expansion, and helped promote the area as a viable site for aviation-related industry and manufacturing.

Stanton understood the challenges of competing with larger cities, but he consistently emphasized that Jackson County could succeed by targeting the right projects and preparing the right sites. His work helped lay the foundation for long-term growth, even when results required patience.

Though their paths were different, Hart and Stanton shared a common goal: creating opportunity in Jackson County.

Hart brought a background in aviation, leadership and education, working to connect the airport with workforce development. Stanton brought a strategic focus on recruitment and infrastructure, working to make the county competitive for new industry.

Together, their efforts helped position the Marianna Municipal Airport not just as a transportation facility, but as a potential economic engine for the region.

The naming of Brig. General Jim Hart Way and Bill Stanton Way serves as a lasting tribute to two men whose contributions often took place outside the spotlight.

For those who drive those roads in the years ahead, the names will stand as a reminder of what sustained commitment to a community can accomplish.

And for Marianna and Jackson County, they mark a legacy of leadership that continues to shape the future.

The Marianna City Commission unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday night making the naming of the roads official.