July 19--STOCKTON -- Patrick Carreno, who has led operations at the Stockton Metropolitan Airport for the past two years, will leave the airport director's job to become the operations manager at Denton Enterprise Airport in Denton, Texas.
Carreno, who was the deputy airport director before taking over the top spot two years ago, said he decided to accept the Texas airport's No. 2 position for personal reasons. But he said he was proud of how Stockton Metro had improved and grown during his tenure.
"I did what I could to put the airport on the right track," he said Thursday. "I think we had some success with that."
Stockton has seen strong growth in scheduled passenger service on Allegiant in recent years. From less than 39,000 passenger departures in 2010, it grew to more than 55,000 in 2011 and 60,000 last year. In just the first half of this year, passenger departures have already exceeded 39,000.
In a memo about the resignation, effective July 26, interim County Administrator Rosa Lee said, "During his tenure, Mr. Carreno was instrumental in getting additional services from Allegiant, enhancing the airport revenues from passenger enplanements and terminal parking lots, and securing two new terminal restaurant concessions."
While a permanent replacement is sought, the county's chief deputy administrator, Harry Mavrogenes, will oversee the airport operations, Lee said.
County Supervisor Larry Ruhstaller, who also praised Carreno's work, said the change provides him, other officials and the County Aviation Advisory Committee a chance to reconsider the airport's operation and perhaps give it a new direction.
Carreno is the fourth airport director to resign the post in the past six years.
Barry Rondinella resigned in October 2007 after six years in the job. His deputy, Steven Hicks, named interim director, quit the following June. Susan Palmeri, who took the job in December 2008, left in June 2011.
Contact reporter Reed Fujii at (209) 546-8253 or [email protected].
Copyright 2013 - The Record, Stockton, Calif.
