Arturo Machuca Named General Manager of Ellington Airport
December 4, 2014

Arturo Machuca, Houston Airport System (HAS) Manager of Business Development who is leading the efforts to bring a Houston Spaceport to Ellington Airport, has been named the general manager of Ellington Airport.

Machuca was appointed by Houston Aviation Director Mario C. Diaz in December 2014.

"Arturo Machuca demonstrates a strong commitment to delivering outstanding customer service for the Houston Airport System," Diaz said. "Arturo’s expertise and vision are just two of the reasons he is leading efforts to bring the spaceport project to fruition at Ellington, and those assets will help in strengthening our mission to exceed customer expectations at Ellington Airport.”

Machuca will oversee the daily operations of the facility and the development and implementation of policies and procedures. He will coordinate the preparation and monitoring of the Ellington Airport budget and expenditures.

“This is a fantastic opportunity and responsibility,” Machuca said. “Ellington is a growing facility — one with limitless potential and a talented staff that embraces the Houston Airport System’s commitment to excellence. Together, we can continue the growth and success we have seen and continue to provide great service to our customers.”

With more than 30 years of sales and marketing experience in the aviation industry, Machuca joined the Houston Airport System in 2009. As the Manager of Business Development he oversaw economic development, industry affairs and business relations.

Three years ago, Machuca was tasked with the huge responsibility of developing a plan to bring a commercial spaceport to Ellington. Machuca worked with various Federal and local agencies, as well as key players in the aerospace industry, to create preliminary plans and conceptual drawings to pursue a license to bring commercial spaceflights to Ellington Airport. He will remain as the lead for the Houston Spaceport project.

"Commercial spaceports are another example of aviation’s pioneering spirit,” Machuca said. “They represent a partnership between the host airport facility and private enterprise. It is a collaborative model that already has led to the creation of a multi-billion dollar industry in the United States and that's certainly the type of partnership we envision for the Houston Spaceport project as it continues to move forward."

To learn more about Ellington Airport, click here.

To learn more about the spaceport project, click here.