Good Afternoon All,

Please join us in welcoming Katherine (Katie) Bales as the new Reno-Stead Airport Manager!

Katherine officially joined the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority team on Monday, August 10. Over the next several weeks, she will be working closely with Scott Gordon as he prepares for his retirement on Friday, October 2. This transition period will give Katherine an opportunity to become familiar with the airport, our tenants, ongoing projects, and the many unique day-to-day operations that make the Stead community so special.

We are very excited to have Katherine joining us and look forward to the knowledge, experience, and fresh perspective she brings to Reno-Stead. Just as importantly, we want to give our tenants and airport users an opportunity to get to know her. If you see Katherine around the airport, please take a moment to introduce yourself and give her a warm Stead welcome!

A Little About Katherine

Katherine Bales, C.M., CAE, comes to Reno-Stead from Napa County Airport, where she served as Assistant Airport Manager and was responsible for airport operations, emergency response, maintenance, and the airport’s capital improvement program. She brings more than a decade of aviation management experience and previously served as Airport Superintendent for the City of Visalia, overseeing airport operations, FBO services, and major infrastructure projects.

Katherine holds a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and an MBA from Louisiana State University. She is a Certified Member (C.M.) of the American Association of Airport Executives, an Airport Certified Employee in General Aviation (ACE GA), and a Certified Airport Executive (CAE) through SWAAAE.

Katherine is also a proud U.S. Navy veteran with hands-on aircraft maintenance experience, including work on the MH-60S Seahawk in support of Search and Rescue operations. Her combination of aviation operations, maintenance experience, airport management, and leadership gives her a unique and well-rounded perspective that will be a great fit for Reno-Stead.

We know one of the things that makes Stead unique is the strong relationship we have with our tenants and aviation community, and we are looking forward to introducing Katherine to all of you as she settles into her new role.

Please join us in giving Katherine a very warm welcome to Reno-Stead Airport. We are excited to have her here and look forward to this next chapter!