Associate News:

Becker Replace Retiring Kirkbride in San José

SAN JOSÉ, Calif. --- June 5 - Kim Becker has been promoted to assistant aviation director for Mineta San José International Airport (SJC), taking the place of Frank Kirkbride, who retires this month from the airport's number two position.

"I know that Kim will do a great job to meet the high standards that Frank Kirkbride has established for our airport during his service here," said San José Aviation Director Bill Sherry.

"Her background in airport management is solid, and she has extensive knowledge of our airport, our community, and our staff.  This means that Kim can step right into one of the most challenging jobs at any airport and help us maintain our momentum to make SJC a great airport for our entire region."

Becker has been an SJC deputy director since 1999 overseeing a range of assignments including airside and landside operations, business and property development, and environmental and information technology services. She started with Mineta San José in 1995 as an operations superintendent managing airside, communications, and access control functions.

"This is a wonderful opportunity at a very exciting time for our airport," said Becker.  "I've got big shoes to fill with Frank's retirement, but I'm grateful for the terrific team we have in place already that will help me do it. I'm looking forward to working with everyone at SJC as we build and open our new airport over the next several years."

Her career in aviation and airport management has included operations positions at Lockheed Air Terminal in Burbank, California, and Teterboro Airport in New Jersey.

Becker received her bachelor's degree in business administration from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a master's degree in business administration/aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University based in Daytona Beach Florida. She is a resident of San Jose.

Kirkbride became assistant aviation director in San José in 2002 after serving nearly three decades in airport management, including executive leadership positions at Nashville International Airport and Washington Dulles/Reagan National Airports in the areas of facilities planning, airport capital development, engineering, and maintenance.

"Over the past several years we've made incredible progress at this airport working together, which makes leaving my friends and colleagues in San Jose very hard," said Kirkbride. "I'm confident however that the airport is in good hands, and I'm delighted that Kim can step up to take my place at this critical time."

While at SJC, he was responsible for airport administration and policy development during a period of major changes for the airport and aviation industry, including the new security environment following 9/11 and the planning and development of the $1.3 billion modernization project now under way to build a new airport for San José and Silicon Valley.

"Frank Kirkbride has been an invaluable right hand to me during a period of tremendous challenge for this airport," said Sherry.  "Although we'll miss his talent, spirit, and creativity that have strengthened our entire team over the past six years, I wish him and his family all the best in his new venture."

Kirkbride plans to move to Tennessee where he is creating a vineyard on family property near Nashville.