1-14-22 For Immediate Release
It is with profound sadness that Airglades International Airport announces the loss of Frederick C. Ford, former President and Airport Manager of AIA. Ford passed away in Fort Myers, Florida on January 13, 2022.
Frederick C. Ford was a transportation industry leader who worked in the aviation and airline industry for over 50 years. He served as an executive for major airports, port authorities, and aviation firms since the age of 19. A native of Boston, Massachusetts, Ford managed the Boston, Dallas/Fort Worth and Atlantic City airports, was a vice president at Pan American World Airways and served as director of development for Ogden Allied Aviation in New York.
In 2008, Mr. Ford embarked on a new airport endeavor, forming Florida Cargo Fresh, Inc. (FCFI). Fred’s goal was to reduce costs via efficient transshipment and processing of perishable air cargo from airplanes to trucks, build a new airport that would relieve pressure on Miami International’s perishable cargo operations, and allow Miami’s passenger traffic -vital to South Florida – to grow.
Mr. Charlie Harrison, who served on the board of FCFI with Mr. Ford since 2008, said, “I am sure we will all miss Fred’s energy, drive and unique personality. We greatly appreciate his tireless effort to move the Airglades dream forward to fruition. We are committed to seeing it through.”
Several years later, Mr. Ford assembled agriculture industry leaders from United States Sugar Corporation (USSC) and Hilliard Brothers of Florida (HBF) to form SugarHill. In February 2012, SugarHill, in partnership with Florida Cargo Fresh, Inc. (FCFI), created the now known entity: Airglades International Airport, LLC (AIA) in which Fred was on the Board of Directors at AIA and previously served as CEO & President.
Mr. Ford was involved in the development of the Airglades Airport from the very beginning and his strong relationships with all stakeholders in the industry, government and state have been key to the success of its development.
The current Chairman and CEO, Mr. Malcom S. Wade, Jr. said, “The Airglades vision does not come to an end with Mr. Ford’s passing, but inspires us even more to make the Airglades dream come true.”
Fred is survived by his three daughters: Jennifer Seward, Melissa Walker, and Leslie Ford.
Funeral arrangements or memorial donations will be announced at a later date.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENTS
1967-1969 Recruited as the 1st Aviation Executive Management Trainee at the Massachusetts Port Authority, Boston, Massachusetts
1969-1972 Director of Aviation for City of Springfield, MO. Youngest Airport Director ever to earn the coveted American Association of Airport Executives “Accredited Aviation Executive” certification.
1972-1978, Recruited as Assistant to Chief Executive Officer of the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, served as 1st Director of Operations and as 1st DFW Airport General Manager /COO of team that planned and began operating of what was then the world’s largest airport.
1st alternate on President Nixon’s Aviation Advisory Commission, coordinated the first flight of an SST into USA/authored concept for the Braniff-Air France-British Airways DFW-LHR/CDG Concorde Interchange.
1978-1980 Recruited to serve as Director of Aviation at the Massachusetts Port Authority. Responsible for all operating departments including development of the Bird Island Flats Cargo City project. Recruited 7 new airlines to serve BOS.
1980-1984 Recruited to serve as CEO of Hillford Associates air cargo facility development at DFW. Developed a 200 acre/ 400,000 sf cargo facility for UPS, FedEx, China Air and Zantop/Evergreen.
1984-1987 Recruited to serve as Vice President of Airport Services, Pan Am World Services, New York, New York. Also served as Vice President, Office of the Chairman, President, Pan Am Management Systems, President, Pan Am Helicopter Services and President of Pan Am/Israeli anti-terrorism company, Alert Management Systems. Led Pan Am Airport Privatization/Contract Management Programs including Atlantic City, NJ International Airport, Westchester County Airport and Teterboro, in NJ.
1987-1988 Recruited to serve as Director of International Airport Development for New York based Ogden-Allied Aviation Services. Responsible for third party air cargo facility operations and exploration of airport privatization programs.
1988-1994 Served as Executive Director of Chicago-Rockford International Airport/United Parcel Service Mid America Hub. Developed cargo facilities for Airborne Express, CF /Emery and United Parcel Service, maintenance base for American Airlines/ American Eagle. Recruited 4 major passenger airlines, 3 cargo airlines.
1994-2001 Established independent development consultancy/registered agent/lobbyist. Clients included Raytheon Engineers & Constructors, Raytheon Services Company, New Bedford MA Municipal Airport, and Reilly & Associates/Frankfurt Germany Airport Authority.
2001-2007 Recruited to serve as Vice President of Airport Programs for Raytheon/Washington Group International. CEO of Raytheon-Staubach Airport Management Services. Led Airport Privatization and airport consultancy practice.
2008- present Independent consultant serving as CEO of Florida Cargo Fresh Inc. and a board member of Airglades International Airport, LLC, developers of a special purpose airport as part of the Federal Aviation Administration Airport Privatization Pilot Program.
Served on the Board of Directors of Amcore Bank, NA, and St. Anthony’s Hospital, the Council of 100, and the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Board while employed in Illinois.
References to work in aviation include HBO, C-SPAN, PBS, FRONTLINE, US News & World Report, David Susskind Show, USA Today, ABC News, TV Guide, People and many national, local and regional electronic and print media.
Aviation industry awards and honors include Distinguished Lecturer at Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, guest lecturer at the Aviation Training Institute of London UK, guest lecturer at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, guest lecturer at Northern Illinois University and elected as President of the SCC American Association of Airport Executives.
Honorary member of the Teamsters, nominated as one of Ten Outstanding Young Men in Boston, MA, Springfield, MO and Ft. Worth, TX. Recipient of the Mayor of Boston’s Man of the Future Award and has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Independent Fixed Base Operators Association.
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