James Jenkins, who has worked for the San Bernardino County Department of Airports for more than 21 years, last week succeeded Mike Williams as director of airports.
“We are lucky to have James in this role,” said county deputy executive officer Keith Lee, who oversees the Department of Airports. “Aviation is his passion, and no one knows the department better or has more enthusiasm for its mission. James has excelled in a variety of airport management roles, and the county will benefit from his leadership.”
Jenkins had ascended to the position of assistant director under Williams, who recently retired, and was designated as interim director after Williams left.
Jenkins began with the county airports department in 1991 as an electrician in the department’s maintenance division. He acceded to the position of maintenance supervisor, then operations supervisor, was later airport manager at Chino Airport, and was assistant director for the past seven years.
He is an executive member of the American Association of Airport Executives and has most recently served as the past president of the Association of California Airports.
The San Bernardino County Department of Airports provides for the management, maintenance and operation of six county-owned airports – Chino, Apple Valley, Barstow-Daggett, Twentynine Palms, Needles and Baker. The department also assists San Bernardino County private and municipal airport operators with planning, interpretation, and implementation of FAA general aviation requirements.