Photo courtesy of City of Prescott
Prescott Regional Airport (PRC) is under new leadership after the Prescott City Council appointed Richard “Rick” Crider as its executive director.
Crider, who started the job May 28, arrived from San Antonio, where he served as executive vice president for airport/railport & military relations at Port San Antonio and executive agent for Kelly Field.
He had worked for 12 years for Port San Antonio, a redevelopment authority tasked with repurposing the former Kelly Air Force Base as a technology and innovation campus.
“I am excited and honored to have been selected as the next leader of Prescott Regional Airport. Prescott Regional is a unique place, and I look forward to collaborating with partners and stakeholders to help navigate the opportunities that lie ahead and to maximizing its potential as a community asset,” Crider said.
Crider has a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Management from the University of Central Texas and a Master of Arts degree in Public Policy & Management from The Ohio State University.
He is an accredited airport executive and was first vice chair of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), before becoming its chair last month. Crider has flown as an active pilot for most of his adult life.
“I am very pleased to welcome Richard to the team,” Deputy City Manager Tyler Goodman said. “His wealth of experience and connection with the airport industry across the nation will serve Prescott Regional Airport well.”
Crider succeeded interim Airport Director Kelly Fredericks, an airport consultant, who took the role in November following Robin Sobotta’s departure after six years in the job.
PRC is ranked as the 25th busiest airport in the nation and is adjacent to the Prescott Regional Airpark and Commerce Center.
