Originally published in 2010
TXDOT AVIATION NEW MANAGEMENT TEAM IN PLACE:
In the July issue of Wingtips, I mentioned that Bill Fuller, our Director of Engineering, and Linda Howard, our Director of Planning, have retired. Their replacements are now in place.
Bijan Jamalabad is our new Director of Engineering and Scott Gallagher is our new Director of Planning. Bijan Jamalabad is well known by most of you. Bijan has been an engineering project manager in our office for the past 20 years. He is a civil engineering graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and a licensed professional engineer. Bijan has strong leadership skills and understands, as well as any one I know, how to best maximize our financial investment in Texas airports. He is well known and highly respected by the civil engineering and contracting community, as well as the airport sponsors he has worked with in the past. Bijan lives with his wife Rosimeiry and daughters Lela and Hanna and son Reza in Austin.
Although Scott Gallagher is new to the Aviation Division, he is not new to aviation. Scott began his aviation career in the military as a Naval Aviator, flying over 3,300 hours in F/ A-18 Hornets. He served as Commanding Officer of an F / A-18 squadron and flew numerous combat missions in Iraq. Scott is a graduate of the Navy’s Top Gun School and was named the Navy’s Carrier Aviator of the Year in 2000. Scott, his wife Courtney and four sons make their home in Wimberley. I am very excited about the leadership and experience that Scott brings to the Aviation Division. Be sure and meet Scott during our 2010 Texas Aviation Conference in April at the Woodlands.
We are extremely fortunate to have Bijan and Scott joining Karon Wiedemann, Jay Joseph and myself as part of our management team working to continue to improve Texas Aviation.
It is with a great deal of sadness that I end my column by informing you of the passing of a co-worker and friend, Alton Young. Alton was well known by many of you from his work in the field and visiting with you at our annual aviation conference. Every year, we have all enjoyed his beautiful rendition of the national anthem.
Alton Young was a respected and loved member of our T xDOT Aviation Division family. Texas aviation is better for his efforts and contributions over the past 10 years. Alton will be sorely missed by all of us.