[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 120 (Tuesday, July 28, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1136]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         IN HONOR OF TOM GREER

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 28, 2015

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and career of 
Tom Greer, an outstanding public servant on the occasion of his 
retirement as general manager of the Monterey Regional Airport. His 
exceptional career has spanned nearly five decades and included both 
military and civil service.
   After graduating from Auburn University in Alabama in 1965 with a 
degree in aviation management, Tom joined the Marines and was sent to 
Officers Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia. Upon receipt of his 
wings as a Naval Flight Officer in March 1967, he was assigned to 
various Fighter/Attack squadrons flying F-4B Phantom in over 320 combat 
missions in Vietnam.
   Following his release from active duty in March 1970, Tom was 
selected as Airport Director for Golden Triangle Regional Airport near 
Columbus, Missouri. Under his exceptional leadership, this new airport 
was constructed from the ground up, opening successfully in the fall of 
1972. Tom then took his aviation management skills to Salt Lake City, 
where he served as Director of Operations for the Salt Lake City 
Airport Authority. His guidance allowed the airport to remain 
operational while undergoing major expansion programs to accommodate a 
new hub for Western Airlines, now Delta. He then served in various 
capacities for Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport authority from 1984 
until 1999. During his tenure, passenger traffic increased from two 
million to over five million, and a new terminal building was 
constructed for the 70 year old facility.
   We have been blessed to have Tom serving as General Manager for the 
Monterey Peninsula Airport District since December of 2003. Some of his 
numerous accomplishments include the Terminal re-model, the TSA 
screening moved to a central location, a contract for Fire Services 
with the City of Monterey, and, currently, the Runway Safety Area 
Project and Airport Master Plan Project.
   Throughout his extraordinary career, Tom has received numerous 
awards for his contributions to the profession. He was the recipient of 
the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) Leadership Award 
in 2000, served as AAAE chairman in 2003, received the Distinguished 
Service Award in 2005, and the Chair's Award for 2008. He was named 
Airport Manager of the Year in 1988 and received the Chapter's Award of 
Distinction in 2003.
   Mr. Speaker, the Central Coast is exceptionally grateful to Tom for 
his service to the community, the aviation industry, and the country. I 
wish nothing but the best for Tom in his retirement, and I know he 
looks forward to spending more time with his wonderful family, 
including his five children and thirteen grandchildren.

                          ____________________