Ventura County Airports Director Todd McNamee, 52, died last week in a single-car crash at Camarillo Airport (CMA).
The crash happened November 1. According to the Ventura County Star newspaper, fire department spokesman Capt. Brian McGrath said a vehicle was being driven on the tarmac Thursday morning before leaving the pavement, crashing and igniting.
McNamee was appointed director of airports in 2005. He is survived by his wife, Ann, and two sons, Jeffrey and Peter.
Jorge Rubio, deputy director of airports, is currently overseeing the airports department, according to Bill Nash, a spokesman for the County Executive Office. Duties include overseeing the operations, maintenance and development of CMA and Oxnard Airport (OXR).
“Todd was my mentor and a good friend as well as a colleague,” said Rubio. “He had a passion for aviation since he was a kid, and that passion showed in everything he did here. He had a natural charisma that enabled him to get everyone engaged, and he was a mentor to many in the aviation industry. No matter what the situation, Todd always tried to do the right thing. A lot of people out there think of him as family.”
County Executive Officer Mike Powers also praised McNamee. “Todd was well respected by his county colleagues and team for his strong leadership skills, and he was also appreciated statewide, nationally and internationally for his commitment to the aviation industry.
“He showed that commitment locally when the FAA was threatening to close the control towers at both Camarillo and Oxnard. He personally rallied our local aviation community to keep that from happening and, in doing so, made a fundamental contribution to the industry locally,” Powers said.
On the national stage, McNamee served as the first vice president of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE).
“AAAE and the airport profession have lost a tremendous leader and a dear friend,” AAAE President and CEO Todd Hauptli said. “Through heavy hearts, the AAAE family extends our sympathies and our thoughts and prayers to Ann and the boys.”
