Originally published in 2000
We believe that our employees are the most important resource that we have available to support us daily in the fulfillment of the “aviation” mission for the State of Texas. They are, as team members, our winning hand. We will continue to showcase employees in Wingtips, so that you can get to know them, their responsibilities and their interests.
Alton Young
By Ed Mayle
We are pleased to welcome Alton Young to the Aviation Division’s Engineering Section where he has assumed a support role in construction management.
Alton brings a diverse background from several areas within the construction industry, including oil
field construction and safety, the construction of commercial buildings, clean rooms (for the computer chip industry), water/waste water treatment plants, subdivisions, roads, utilities and airports.
A native Texan, Alton grew up in Wimberley, Texas, where his parents the Reverend J.B. and Arlene Young still reside. After attending high school in San Marcos, Alton attended Southwest Texas State University where he played football and prepared for his “first life” in law enforcement and criminal investigations. Alton devoted five years to this endeavor and then returned to the industry that had helped him through college and as they say, “the rest is history.”
Alton and his wife, Vicki, live on the “Kitty Hill” airport in Leander, Texas, where they enjoy the peace and quiet (most of the time) of country living along with “Smokey,” the cat and several regular animal visitors.
His son Caleb attends Texas A&M University and is in his second year working towards a career in agriculture.
When Alton is not working, he enjoys several hobbies such as hunting, fishing and rock crawling with off-road vehicles. And if that is not enough, Alton is a member of a men’s gospel quartet that his wife directs and plays the piano for.
William Gunn Relocates to Washington State
By Bob Woods
William “Bill” Gunn resigned his position as Manager of Aviation Instructional Programs at TxDOT Aviation Division on Dec. 31, 1999. We regret his departure and will miss his expertise in flight matters for the State.
Bill was with the division for almost six years. His primary responsibilities were to oversee, manage and conduct Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Flight Instructor Recertification clinics in partnership with the Air Safety Foundation, and other specialized aviation training programs. Furthermore, he was an expert on current FAA regulations and advisory documents as they pertained to airspace issues, instrument approaches, global positioning systems (OPS) and other related aviation issues. Bill, also, developed, conducted and promoted statewide aviation programs concerning aviation safety, occupational safety and refueling clinics. He faithfully attended pilot meetings and airshows representing the Texas Department of Transportation to many aviation groups that did not even know that there was a state aviation division.
Again, we will miss his contribution to aviation in Texas and his warm, congenial spirit. We wish him the very best in his future endeavors.
