After almost 21 years at the helm of San Diego International Airport, Thella F. Bowens will retire at the end of March, the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority announced Friday.
Bowens, president and CEO, was the first and only person to hold the top executive position at the authority, owner and operator of the airport. Upon retirement, she will return home to Texas, where she once worked and where many members of her family reside.
“I have passionately enjoyed my time here, and I am so very proud of our exemplary organization and high-performing team,” Bowens said. “As I move on to the next stage of my life, I do so knowing that the board and staff will continue to operate a world-class airport for the 21st century.”
The airport authority is governed by a nine-member board whose next step will be to find a replacement for Bowens.
“We are extraordinarily fortunate to have had someone of Thella’s impeccable character and steady hand guide the airport — and the authority — through so very much,” said board Chairman April Boling. “From the launch of the authority in 2003, to a successful pivot after the defeat of the 2006 ballot measure, to the expansion of Terminal 2 and construction of the rental car center, to adding significant new domestic and international nonstop routes, to exemplary financial growth and stewardship, to making the airport a model of sustainability, her accomplishments comprise a stunning legacy.”
San Diego International is the busiest single-runway airport in the United States and last year served a record 20 million passengers. Bowens oversaw the airport’s establishment as a true international gateway, and today it offers nonstop service to the United Kingdom, Japan, Canada and Mexico, and next year will add nonstop service to Germany and Switzerland.
Under Bowens’ leadership, authority assets have grown from $473 million to $2.217 billion, and annual operating revenue has increased from $97 million to $234 million.
Prior to coming to San Diego, Bowens served as the Deputy Executive Director of Kansas City’s Aviation Department. She previously served as Budget Administrator for the Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport.
