After a national search, the city of San Antonio has appointed Retired Air Force Gen. Russell J. Handy as the city’s aviation director, beginning Jan. 9. Handy oversees the day-to-day operations of the San Antonio International Airport System, made up of the San Antonio International Airport (SAT) and Stinson Municipal Airport. Handy’s top priorities will include grow air service at SAT, enhance customer experience and oversee major construction projects, including SAT’s new consolidated rental car facility, scheduled to be complete before the end of the year.
Handy brings nearly 35 years of military and aviation experience to his new position. Recently retired from the Air Force, Handy served as the Commander of the Alaskan Region of the North American Aerospace Defense Command. He has also served as the Commander of the Alaskan Command and Commander of the Eleventh Air Force. He is a command pilot and has flown in numerous combat operations and deployments including Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Desert Fox and Iraqi Freedom and has received numerous military honors.
A graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Science, Handy received a Master of Science in Administrative Management from Central Michigan University.
