b'TERMINALSFAT 9Such numbers are impressive. Butsymposium or a breakout session at ahad died unexpectedly while on a trip to numbers only reveal part of this story.AAAE conference that says, OK, No. 2s Las Vegas. He was only 59.Despite the many improvements FATWhat do you do when your airport directorAs of this moment, youre it, White made last year, 2025 will unquestionablycant show up for workforever? told Partida. Youre running the airport.be remembered for one immeasurable loss.Youre It Though shocked and deeply saddened, Were inPartida was home with family on a SundayPartida was also well prepared to take the businessevening last July when he received a call fromon the larger role. In fact, hed been of emergencyGeorgeanne White,an understudy for it since childhood. preparedness, drills,Fresnos city manager.His father worked for Mexicana Airlines incident commandin the 1970s, and Partida admits the structures we talkShe asked Partidaaviation bug bit early. As a young adult, about continuityto recuse himself tohe trained in San Antonio to become plans, says Franciscoa quiet place anda commercial airline pilot but later Partida, the airportsFRANCISCO PARTIDA sit before breakingtransitioned to the business side of the interim director of aviation. But I dontthe news: Henryaviation industry. think Ive ever heard of a course or aThompson, FATsHENRY THOMPSONdirector of aviation, AirportImprovement.comMarch | April 2026'