Airport Manager Retires After Full Life in Aerospace

Santa Maria Public Airport District General Manager Gary Rice has retired.  On April 15th Rice bid a fond farewell to the Airport he has managed for the last nine years.

In 1972, Rice made his first steps in the world of Airport management as an intern in Jacksonville, Florida.  Over the next thirty-some years he would travel the world, act as Executive Director in Richmond, Virginia, and spend seven years with Lockheed Air Terminal managing airports on a contract basis.

Then, nine years ago, he found an opening at the Santa Maria Airport and snatched it up.  “This is home now,” says Rice, “Santa Maria is such a great place.”

Looking back on his time at the Airport, Rice says, “We got a lot done here and I think I’m leaving behind an airport that is in good shape with a lot of plans for the future.”

Among these future plans is an extended runway to go along with their all-new full-sized terminal and perhaps even working toward international status.

“Planning the business park over the last five or six years has been a huge achievement as well just for the amount of time and effort that was involved,” says Rice, adding, “and I learned more about tiger salamanders and things like that than I ever thought I would!”

Although he has no complaints, Rice is excited for the new horizon ahead.  “My wife and I have an extensive overseas trip planned.”

As for other future endeavors, Rice plans to stay right here in Santa Maria where he can be close to his kids and grandkids and enjoy retired life.  “I’m going to stay involved locally,” he says, “Downtown Santa Maria needs some help – it could really be a destination city.”

No word yet on who will be the new general manager at the Santa Maria Airport. “I’m not involved in that part of the process,” says Rice, “But I will always have an interest in the airport and in Santa Maria.  You’ll see me around!”