David Says Farewell
Posted August 6, 2014 at 7:16 am by Tim Dustrude
Dave Ryan waves goodbye from an office with one of the best views around – Tim Dustrude photo
David Ryan, Port of Friday Harbor Airport Manager is moving on and he would like to say farewell, and thank you for making his job here so enjoyable.
David began working at the airport in October of 2008, replacing the previous manager Pat Mayo. He brought years of experience with him, having been a manager for 2 years, and then a consultant for 2 years at Midway Airport (yes, the Island of Midway, out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean), and 10 years before that at Tulsa International Airport.
In the time that he has been here, the airport as done nearly $8 million in improvement projects through the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant process, including an all new taxiway, LED lighting and signage, drainage improvements and updates to the master plan. And through staff projects using local money, we have a new Pilot Welcome Center which just opened last year, and the airport terminal has been remodeled as well.
Dave having a good time at last month’s Fly In – Tim Dustrude photo
The annual Fly In and Open House is a new event that David really helped to get off the ground. This popular event has grown each year, and this, its 5th year was the most-attended yet. Dave is very proud of the fact that the Fly In is a free event for the community (many similar events elsewhere charge admission).
His decision to leave was an extremely difficult one, but it’s a good career move and will provide new challenges. He’s not going far – he starts his new job at Arlington Municipal Airport in late August. “I’m really going to miss the view from the tower. And the wonderful community relationship,” he says. “I have worked with great people, made lots of friends, and I really love the local music scene” (he plays guitar in the band “On the Fly”). “This is a really cool town.”
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