Originally published in 1999
By Bob Woods
Effective March 31, 1999, Nona Gold will retire from the Aviation Division with more that 22 years of total state employment. Her retirement letter read in part “It is with both joy and sadness that I submit my intent to retire effective March 31, 1999. There is joy because after over 22 years with the state and almost 28 years working outside the home, I think it will be nice to be able to sleep in late and dressing up will mean wearing “new” tennis shoes. There is sadness because I will be leaving people I’ve worked with for such a long time they became a part of my extended family, and apprehension because I’ll be facing the unfamiliar, changing routines and starting a new life.”
Needless to say, we in the Aviation Division will miss Nona more than she knows. She has provided our office continuity through many difficult transition periods, from being the Texas Aeronautics Commission with very little money for airports, to the Department of Aviation with at times “NO” money, even for employee salaries, to being merged into a new Department of Transportation. Through all this, Nona has been a pillar of strength and purpose. Starting as a secretary, and continuing her career through several administrative titles, Nona has always cared deeply about all the employees, which culminated in her being selected as the Human Resource Officer for the Division.
Nona also organized and ran many Aviation Conferences and thankfully had enough time to train Yolanda Alvarez to pick up those duties in fine fashion.
Nona, we will all miss you and wish you much happiness and continued success in your future endeavors.