May 22--As Izzy Bonilla settles into his new job at Jacksonville International Airport, there's a sense that he is coming home.
Bonilla, who took over as manager of Jacksonville's main airport in April, is returning to the place where he began his aviation career: Nine years ago, he was part of the team that helped transition Cecil Field from a Navy base to a civilian airport.
He took that job a month after retiring from the Air Force, a career that had sent him around the world. After seven years with the Jacksonville Aviation Authority Ñ during which he spent time at three of the Authority's airports Ñ he went international again, landing a job operating the airport in Santiago, Chile, working for a private company that runs more than a dozen airports around the world.
When JIA Director Danette Bewley left in January, Bonilla was approached about returning and he accepted.
QUESTION: What's it like coming back to the airport system where you started?
ANSWER: If I used the word exciting, it wouldn't express the whole thing. It's exciting. I worry. It's a challenge: It's the biggest challenge of my life.
Q: Why did you decide to go to Santiago?
A: I could have stayed here very easily, but it was an opportunity for me to grow. I was never so scared in my life as when I left here.
Q: How does knowing JAA help you in your new job?
A: I know what the history of the organization is. The players haven't changed that much. To a certain extent, I know what the strength and weaknesses of the organization are.
Q: It must be particularly interesting to see the changes at Cecil (a number of businesses have moved in there since Bonilla's time).
A: I go there now and remember how it was. It's like seeing your baby all grown up.
Q: What's your main focus going to be as you settle into the management position?
A: The terminal expansion and the [baggage handling system] projects are the big ones. Right after that it has to be focusing on the people. If these guys [on his team] are happy and productive, they're the best team there is.
Q: What's your main goal?
A: I want to make sure the airport is safe and clean and is set up to work in a way that passengers and tenants are proud of it. You have to be proud of your airport.
