Richmond, Virginia

Inducted in 1996, Anthony E. “Tony” Dowd began his aviation career as a tail gunner on B-24s during WWII. He flew nearly 100 missions in the China-Burma-India Theater. During these missions he bailed out twice and fell out once while attempting to manually extend his B-24s nose wheel. After the war, he completed his education at the University of Denver. In 1953, he became Assistant Manager of Richmond’s Airport, Airport Manager in 1957 and Executive Director in 1976. During his 35-year tenure, he helped the airport grow from a small division under the City’s Bureau of Operations in the Department of Public Works to a multi-governmental commission named the capital Region Airport Commission. Dowd helped organize the Virginia Airport Operators Council and represented Richmond to the council until he retired. He played a leadership role in the Southeast Airport Managers Association and the American Association of Airport Executives. In 1982, Dowd was appointed by Governor Baliles to serve on the Virginia Aviation Board. He was re-appointed by Governor Wilder in 1990 and served as Chairman of the Board until July 1994. He played an important role in locating the Virginia Aviation Museum at Richmond International Airport.