San José, CA – Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) is celebrating excellence in the Aviation industry following the notable achievements of nearly two dozen of its Operations team members. Key among these is the recent appointment of Graham Ritz, SJC Operations Supervisor, as Northern California Director of the Southwest Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives (SWAAAE).
Ritz was elected during the organization’s 75th Annual Summer 2021 Hybrid Conference in Reno, Nevada, in August. He also serves as Vice Chair of SWAAAE’s Academic Relations Committee and Young Professionals Committee.
Over the course of the pandemic, 21 employees from SJC’s Airport Operations Team received a degree or other aviation-related certification. Each did so as essential workers on-site at the Airport.
Read more about their accomplishments HERE.
“Thanks to my coworkers and good friends in the industry for appointing me as the Northern California Director,” said Ritz. “I’m excited to continue the growth and development of our young professionals in our industry. As always, I’m lucky, fortunate, and thankful to do what I do.”
Ritz, who also has his private pilots’ license, graduated from Lewis University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Administration. There he cultivated his passion for Airport Operations & Management. In his five years at SJC, he has worked on the Airport Operations team, focusing on Terminal Management, and has managed the Airport’s internship program, providing mentorship, leadership and opportunities for future Aviation professionals.
Judy Ross, Assistant Director of Aviation at SJC, also serves SWAAAE’s executive team as Chair of the Ethics Committee and Nominating Committee, is the chapter’s Immediate Past President. Ross is currently serving on the Board of Directors of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), the governing body of SWAAAE.
“As the Immediate Past President of SWAAAE, I could not be more pleased at the election of one of SJC’s very own young leaders to the post of SWAAAE Northern California Director,” said Ross. “We are so proud of Graham and each member of our team, not only for their achievements, but for how they strive for excellence every day. Their accomplishments within the Aviation industry show the depth and the strength of our SJC team, as well as the individual commitments to providing the best level of service for our customers.”
SWAAAE members include airport representatives primarily from the states of California, Arizona, Nevada, and Hawaii. Since its founding in 1947, the organization has focused on representing public use airports as well as those interested in and working for the benefit of aviation.
SJC: Transforming How Silicon Valley Travels
Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) is Silicon Valley’s airport, a self‐ supporting enterprise owned and operated by the City of San Jose. The airport, now in its 71st year, served nearly 15.7 million passengers in 2019, with nonstop service across North America and to Europe and Asia. For more airport information, visit https://www.flysanjose.com.
|