Two well-known Massachusetts Airport Managers will be retiring this month, each with 27 years of service in their current positions. Russ Maguire of Norwood Memorial Airport and Tom Maher of Plymouth Municipal Airport also served terms as president of the Massachusetts Airport Management Association (MAMA) during the period.
Russ Maguire – Norwood Memorial Airport
Under Russ’ administration, fully realized capital projects at Norwood total more than $21 million. Russ is a fully accredited airport executive (A.A.E.) with the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE). From that organization, he also earned the airport-certified employee (ACE) designation with a specialization in airport security. He holds a master’s degree in aviation/aerospace management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, with undergraduate degrees in aviation technology (University of Alaska-Fairbanks) and journalism (University of Missouri-Columbia).
Author of more than 300 industry articles and communications pieces, Maguire—a one-time public relations director at Embry-Riddle—is also a rated senior aviator, having flown medevac and air assault missions for 13 years in the U.S. Army. Additionally, he holds a commercial pilot’s license with an instrument rating. Nationally, Russ has served on AAAE’s General Aviation Committee, with professional membership in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics as well.
Tom Maher – Plymouth Municipal Airport
Tom Maher, Plymouth Airport’s hard-working chief will retire on June 30 after 27 years at the helm of the state’s busiest non-towered airport.
A graduate of Northeastern University, and a private pilot, Tom began his aviation career pumping fuel and dispatching for Wiggins Airways through the 70’s and then served as manager at Norwood Airport for fourteen years beginning in 1981. In 1995, he took the helm at Plymouth and has overseen a number of airport improvements including runway and taxiway improvements, the attraction of many new businesses and public services and the construction of a new Administration Building. When asked he said that his proudest achievement was the addition of an ILS at a time when the FAA just wasn’t approving projects of that scope at airports the size of Plymouth.
Tom modestly said, “Plymouth Airport is a great airport not because of me but because of the users and companies based and using the airport. I thank the Plymouth Airport for allowing me to work at and manage the airport all these years. I hope I will leave the airport a little better than when I first came.” He added, “Patience is a virtue and aviation takes patience.”
Tom’s future plans include staying connected to the aviation community perhaps in the private sector and putting many more miles on his bicycle.
