Former Rockford airport executive director remembered for vision, success

Shaquil Manigault, Rockford Register Star
·1 min read
UPS and Prime Air cargo planes travel on the tarmac on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019, at Chicago Rockford International Airport in Rockford.
UPS and Prime Air cargo planes travel on the tarmac on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019, at Chicago Rockford International Airport in Rockford.

ROCKFORD — The Chicago Rockford International Airport announced Monday that its former executive director Frederick Ford died Thursday.

According to a news release, Ford was an airline and airport industry leader for more than 50 years, serving as Rockford's executive director from 1988 to 1994.

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Ford played a significant role in the growth and success and the Rockford airport, the release states. He recruited UPS to the airport campus and developed cargo facilities for Airborne Express and CF/Emery, and a maintenance base for American Airlines/American Eagle.

He also recruited four major passenger airlines and three cargo airlines.

"RFD would not be the successful economic engine that it is today without the forward thinking, vision and success that Fred Ford had in bringing UPS to the Rockford airport,” said airport Executive Director Mike Dunn. “Fred was a good friend and mentor to me, and I will miss our times together."

Frederick Ford was former executive director of Chicago Rockford International Airport.
Frederick Ford was former executive director of Chicago Rockford International Airport.

Ford passed away Jan. 13 in Fort Myers, Florida.

Shaquil Manigault: smanigault@gannett.com; @RRstarShaquil

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Ex-Rockford airport executive director remembered for vision, success