Russell C. Widmar
City of Fresno – Department of Airports
For the past four years, Mr. Widmar has served as Director of Aviation at Fresno Yosemite International Airport in Fresno, California, overseeing a staff of 80+ employees and managing a $35 million annual budget.
During his tenure, many accomplishments and advancements have been made; most notably: Mexicana Airlines introduced international air service to the San Joaquin Valley by providing roundtrip flights from Fresno to Guadalajara, Mexico – making FYI a truly international airport. In addition, currently over $62 million in projects are underway, including, the $26 million Consolidated Rental Car Facility, a 20 acre, 4.2 megawatt solar energy project – the largest of any airport in the country; and a major remodel and renovation of the terminal lobby and baggage claim areas.
Mr. Widmar’s aviation history includes: Director of Aviation at Kansas City International Airport and the city’s two general aviation airports; Executive Director of Salt Lake City International Airport along with two general aviation airports; the Director of Operations – Airport Systems Division of Hughes Aircraft Company; Vice President, Airport Services, Lockheed Air Terminal of New York, Inc. located in Burbank, CA; and Director of the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport.
With over thirty years of progressively responsible experience in the management and development of air carrier and general aviation airports, his responsibilities have also included chief executive positions at large and medium hub airports, and overseas assignments with Lockheed and Hughes Aircraft in Turkey, England, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and Scotland.
Mr. Widmar graduated from California State University at Northridge with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He received his Master of Arts from Claremont University and participated in an MBA refresher program at the University of Kansas.
Mr. Widmar also received his Accredited Airport Executive (AAE) certification from the American Association of Airport Executives and has been licensed as a commercial pilot.