Rayvon Williams, director of Watsonville Municipal Airport, will retire after 15 years in the job, the city announced. His last day is Dec. 30.
"Watsonville Municipal Airport has been an important part of my life for nearly three decades," Williams said in a statement. "I'm proud of what we've accomplished, but none of it would have been possible without the dedication of our airport staff and City colleagues."
From student pilot to director
Williams took his first flying lessons at the airport in 1998, both the Santa Cruz Sentinel and the Pajaronian reported. He went on to earn multiple pilot certifications and became a flight instructor. The Sentinel reports that he also holds master's degrees in aviation aerospace systems safety and in business administration. He was appointed director in 2011 after Don French retired. He has logged more than 3,100 flight hours and flown more than 130 volunteer flights as a command pilot for Angel Flight West, which arranges free flights for people traveling for medical care.
The numbers
- The airport brought in more than $4.3 million in 2025 and handled more than 65,000 flight operations, according to the Pajaronian.
- It now operates without money from the city's General Fund.
- In 2019 Williams oversaw a $1.2 million runway resealing project that included new signage.
- In August the airport received a $115,000 Federal Aviation Administration grant for new runway markings, replacing ones in place since 2018 (Sentinel).
During his tenure the airport was also the arrival point for then-President Joe Biden's January 2023 visit to inspect storm damage in Capitola, and it started the annual Fire in the Sky open house and fireworks show. As president of the Association of California Airports, Williams received the group's 2023 Michael A. Shutt Award.
"Rayvon has been an incredible asset to the City of Watsonville over the past 15 years," City Manager Tamara Vides said. City spokeswoman Michelle Pulido told the Pajaronian that the city is still working out how to fill the job.