Airport staff and tenants mourn the loss of Gary Briggs
The Hayward Executive Airport aviation community was saddened to hear of the passing of aviation developer and long-time commercial tenant Gary Briggs on October 29, 2017. He was 64 years old.
As the founder and president of Ascend Development, Mr. Briggs was responsible for construction of the Park Avion hangar complex at Hayward. The project was completed in two phases and includes 17 individual hangars with a total of 140,000 square feet.
“Park Avion changed the airport,” says Airport Manager Doug McNeeley. “The presence of high-end hangars attracted a significant number of corporate aircraft, putting the airport on the map for turbine operators in the Bay Area.”
Mr. Briggs’ career spanned 45 years and included senior positions with well-known aviation companies, including FBO-operator Flightcraft, Inc. and aircraft modification firm Raisbeck Engineering, Inc. He was an FAA certified pilot.
Mr. Briggs’ son Scott now oversees the Park Avion development and other aviation projects for Ascend Development. “Gary was very knowledgeable and a strong advocate for the general aviation industry,” noted McNeeley. “Our staff enjoyed working with him, and he will be missed at the airport.”
