Kim Aguirre promoted to Director of Aviation at Mineta San José International Airport

Kim Aguirre, Mineta San José International Airport (SJC)

Kim Aguirre has been promoted to director of aviation for Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) by City Manager Debra Figone to take the place of Bill Sherry who retires on September 27. The San José City Council ratified her appointment today after a national recruitment.

Kim Aguirre, Mineta San José International Airport (SJC)

Aguirre has served as assistant director of aviation since 2008 and chief operating officer at Silicon Valley’s airport since 2011, and she has been with SJC since 1995. During her tenure she has managed airside and landside operations, business and property development, and environmental and information technology services. She started as an operations superintendent managing airside, communications, and access control functions.

“With her long experience and deep knowledge of both the industry and our airport, Kim will do a great job to build on the strong foundation built by Bill Sherry over his past eight years of service to San José,” said Figone. “I’m immensely grateful for Bill’s outstanding contributions to both our airport and our community, and I wish him and his wife all the best in their retirement.”

Aguirre’s career in aviation and airport management also has included positions at Lockheed Air Terminal in Burbank, California, and Teterboro Airport in New Jersey.

“I’m grateful for the terrific team we have in place at our airport, and I’m looking forward to working with our community and airline partners to ensure that SJC remains the airport of choice for San José and Silicon Valley businesses and travelers,” said Aguirre.

“As the first woman to serve as director of aviation in San José, I also want to be a good role model for both our organization and the airport industry.”

A resident of San José, Aguirre received her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and an MBA in aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University based in Daytona Beach, Florida.

“I’m delighted at her promotion, proud of her success, and confident for her future leading our airport,” Sherry said. “Kim can step right into this key leadership position and maintain our momentum that has made SJC a great airport for our entire region.”

Sherry started at SJC in 2005, and in partnership with the San José Public Works Department he led the airport’s successful $1.3 billion modernization project to its on-time and on-budget completion in 2010. Under the leadership of both Sherry and Aguirre, the airport has taken effective measures during a difficult economic period to control costs while enhancing quality of services to remain highly competitive to attract new airlines and more flights to serve Silicon Valley.

In addition to his role as director of aviation, Sherry has managed the project to expand the San José McEnery Convention Center that is scheduled for completion in September, and he also has served as chief executive officer for Team San José since 2011. TSJ manages conventions and meetings marketing and operations for San José. Over the past two years, Aguirre has overseen airport management and operations while Sherry has run TSJ.

Aguirre will officially start in her new post upon Sherry’s retirement in September. Her salary will be $200,000.