Nut Tree Airport Gets Manager

Saturday, October 23, 2004
County hires manager for Nut Tree Airport
By Barry Eberling
The Fairfield (CA) Daily Republic

FAIRFIELD — Solano County has hired a manager to help bring a new direction to its Nut Tree Airport in Vacaville. Andrew Swanson will become the airport manager Nov. 8. He has been the airport operations supervisor for San Mateo County.

“His candid and dynamic style will help us move the Nut Tree Airport forward,” said Veronica Ferguson, the county’s general services director.

The airport has faced problems in recent years. A late-2003 report by a consulting group found the airport suffered from poor maintenance and management.

Nut Tree Airport “should be developed and leveraged as an economic engine for the region and not just a recreational facility,” said the report by the Aviation Management Consulting Group.

Swanson has studied Nut Tree.

“I think there’s a lot of potential with Nut Tree,” he said Friday. “Without reviewing the whole (consultant) report, I can’t comment on the full potential.”

He talked of bringing his own knowledge and a “new set of eyes” to the situation.

Supervisor John Vasquez welcomed Swanson.

“I am excited about Mr. Swanson’s willingness to take on the challenges the Nut Tree Airport poses at this time,” Vasquez said in a press release. “I look forward to working closely with him in creating opportunities to make the airport better.”

With San Mateo County, Swanson is responsible for operating San Carlos Airport and Half Moon Bay Airport.

Leaving to take the Nut Tree job was a tough decision because he’s happy with his San Mateo job, Swanson said.P

He is a member of the American Association of Airport Executives and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. He is a member and former president of Alpha Eta Tho, an international aviation fraternity.

Solano County will host a welcome reception for Swanson from 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 6 at the Nut Tree Airport administration building. The public is invited.

Swanson will succeed John Swizer, who retired from the Nut Tree Airport manager’s job in September 2003.