Bangor City Council's Airport Committee has approved and recommended to the full council a request to name Bangor International Airport's Domestic Passenger Terminal in honor of former Airport Director Peter R. D'Errico. The recommendation will go before the full City Council on February 22.
Council Chair Sean Faircloth commented, "Pete D'Errico played a vital role in developing the Dow Air Force Base Re-Use plan and he was instrumental in the implementation of the conversion of the base to a civilian, commercial use airport, and building the airport as a renowned diversion point for trans-Atlantic flights. During his career, he oversaw countless, significant infrastructure improvements at BGR, which included the construction of both the domestic and international terminals still in use today. Without that effort and his 20 years at the Airport, Bangor might be a lot different today." Council Chair Faircloth went on to say "Because of Peter's stewardship and dedication Bangor International today is a great regional asset and provides our community with air ser vice far beyond that of most communities our size."
Bangor International Airport has only had five Airport Directors since its inception back in 1968, Mr. D'Errico served as the Airport Director from 1970-1990, which makes him the longest serving Director at BGR to date.
Peter R. D'Errico served the City of Bangor and the Bangor International Airport (BGR) in a variety of key roles and capacities during his 20+ year civilian career as well as a Major in the Maine Air National Guard after he finished serving his country in the Air Force (1955-1959). Prior to becoming the Airport Director in 1970, he served as Bangor's Economic Development Director from 1959-1969. He also served as an Economic Development Consultant from 1997-2000 and as a Special Assistant to the Airport Director from 2001-2003. Pete served from April 1969 to January 1970 as a Bangor City Councilor and two terms as a Councilor from 2003-2009.
Mr. D'Errico helped create a cargo facility that shipped everything from lobsters to horses. Under his stewardship he brought in 51 companies to the airport and a combined 2,000 public and private sector jobs.
He was an advocate for BGR, and well known and highly respected within the aviation industry at the local, regional, state and national levels of government and he fostered a great partnership with the Maine Air National Guard, 101st Air Refueling Wing which continues to this day.
The BGR Domestic Terminal's first floor is currently undergoing a $14.4 million renovation which includes a new baggage handling system, new passenger flow patterns, and the replacement of the front of the terminal with storefront windows giving the first floor natural lighting. The renovation will be completed later this year. If approved by Council, the naming of the building will be scheduled in the next few months.