Santa Barbara Airport Director Henry Thompson is resigning from his position, and will take a job as aviation director for the city of Fresno.
Thompson’s last day will be Friday, Dec. 10, Acting City Administrator Rebecca Bjork told Noozhawk.
“Santa Barbara has a beautiful, wonderful airport, and it is with mixed feelings I have made the decision to pursue another opportunity,” Thompson said. “The airport is recovering nicely after unprecedented challenges over the past two years, which is a testament to hard work.”
Thompson said he will miss the “dedicated airport team.”
“I am proud of what has been accomplished over the past three years I have served as airport director, and feel confident the airport is poised for success,” Thompson said.
Bjork said she has not yet determined an interim replacement, but in the meantime one of the airport managers will fill in. Bjork said she plans an external recruitment soon.
Thompson was hired in January 2019 to replace Hazel Johns.
According to the job listing from the city of Fresno, the director of aviation is responsible for managing a city department with an annual operating budget of $23.6 million, and a capital improvement budget of $123.5 million.
Santa Barbara’s airport budget is about $20 million.
The director of aviation oversees Fresno-Yosemite International Airport, as well as the smaller Fresno Chandler Executive Airport.
The position pays between $136,668 and $196,128.
Thompson earned about $162,000 annually in Santa Barbara.
Before coming to Santa Barbara, Thompson was airport director for the Shreveport Regional Airport in Louisiana. He also previously worked in various capacities at San Francisco International Airport.
He served as an air traffic controller in the U.S. Air Force.
Thompson holds a bachelor’s degree from the National University in San Diego and a master’s degree in business administration from Golden Gate University.
— Noozhawk staff writer Joshua Molina can be reached at jmolina@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
