Originally published in 1998
In June, at the beginning of our smoldering summer, Abilene Regional Airport’s new manager drove into town! Richard Crider, the former manager of an Ohio commercial service airport, took over the reins from A.R. “Fal” Falcioni, former airport manager, who plans to retire at the end of this year.
Crider’s top priority is the $3.1 million, 11,500-square-foot terminal expansion currently underway. Work on safety zone improvements, runway overlays and terminal renovations are on schedule. Construction is expected to take up to 15 months to complete. Crider anticipates that his economic development experience will help land jobs at the airport’s 1,686-acre complex and lists “Air service and working with airlines as my other priorities.
Airport activity at Abilene Regional Airport is constant. The airport played an active and important role this summer in accommodating the Texas Forest Commission during the range fires. The airport has just finished hosting in October the successful annual Southwest Regional Fly-In. Crider’s right hand man, John Maceda when asked what he does at the airport said, “You name it, I do it.” Maceda has been with Abilene Regional Airport for 10 years and is a certified air rescue fire fighter in Texas.
Crider earned a Bachelor in Aviation Management from the University of Central Texas in Killeen and a Masters in Public Policy and Management from Ohio State University. He is an accredited member of the American Association of Airport Executives. A native Texan, Crider said “it feels good to be back … it is great to be back home.”
