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.
Yolanda Alvarez
By Marie C. Peinado
I am delighted to introduce to you, Yolanda Alvarez, one of our veteran aviation employees, who started working in 1978 for the Texas Aeronautics Commission. Yolanda began working as a secretary in Airport Services and the Planning & Programming Services section, before TAC became the Texas Department of Transportation Aviation Division.
Without a doubt, Yolanda has experienced, witnessed and handled many, many changes in the Aviation Division that would fill a book, if she chose to document its history. The least of these changes, I suppose would be the re-organization and the moving of the division to new quarters. Other provocative and interesting occurrences that go along with such changes would probably be the impetus for obtaining her bestseller. . . but she isn’t talking.
Yolanda has consistently undertaken more and more responsibilities during her long stay at Aviation. She is now responsible for planning and overseeing our annual Texas Aviation Conference, an important part of our mission for the State of Texas. At this function, we exchange ideas with the aviation community, and address issues of concern to the public. Attendance at this conference has greatly increased during her leadership. Yolanda is also the editor for the Texas Airport Directory–a valuable resource for many aviation enthusiasts. She continues to coordinate the annual International Aviation Art Contest for Texas school-age children in addition to producing the Kid’s Art Calendar which is so well-received by all. Yolanda also supervises the Aviation Services staff and lends assistance to any additional project that requires her talents.
A native Texan, born and raised in Austin, Yolanda has been married for 28 years to her husband, Rudy, a teacher at Bowie High School. Yolanda and Rudy have two sons, Adam, 23 years old and Rene, 16 years old.
In her spare time, Yolanda does volunteer work for her church, enjoys walking, and has a knack for home decorating. And during the springtime, you can bet that Yolanda will be cheering at the high school baseball games where Rudy is the head baseball coach.
Jim Curl
By Marie C. Peinado
It is my pleasure to introduce you to Jim Curl, one of our long-standing devotees of the field of aviation in Texas. Jim has contributed a total of 39 years of his life to Texas aviation, 29 of which have been working for the Aviation Division!
As an Airport Engineering Specialist, Jim oversees 5010 airport inspections, reviews plans and specifications, assists in installing AWOS (Automated Weather Observation System), observes terminal building construction, assists the general public and airport sponsors on airport related questions and prepares in-house design drawings. Jim is a “walking encyclopedia” on general aviation airports in Texas.
A native Texan, Jim was born in Leming, Texas, best farming land in Atascosa County. It is also said that this part of the country in Texas is considered the birthplace of the cowboy, rich ranch land with its towering oak and pecan trees; and a hunter’s paradise for the largest white-tailed deer in the world. Jim’s formative years were spent in Leming, Kerrville and Texarkana. Subsequently, he received his education and began to listen earnestly for his calling.
Jim has been married to his wife, Doris, for 34 years as of March 1. Doris works for TxDOT also, in Motor Vehicles. Both Jim and Doris commute to work daily from Georgetown to Austin-a 30-mile one-way ride. They have a daughter, Antoinette, who is a Languages senior, with a major in Spanish and a minor in Chinese, at Trinity University in San Antonio.
Recreational activities for Jim involve restoring or admiring old cars, hot rods- anything with rubber tires and that is self-propelled- woodworking or just enjoying old houses-their workmanship and beauty. Finally, an occasional treat last year at a karaoke gig provided Jim the opportunity to exercise his vocal cords and to entertain his astounded colleagues with his splendid voice … who knew he had it in him?
We admire Jim for his loyalty and contribution to the Aviation Division
