Hillwood
Christian Childs
Hillwood said Tuesday it promoted Christian Childs to president of Aviation Companies at Fort Worth Alliance Airport, with President Tom Harris stepping into a new role as executive vice president at Hillwood.
Childs was vice president of aviation operations.
“Throughout my time with Hillwood and specifically the Alliance Aviation Cos., I’ve worn many hats, which has allowed me the privilege of seeing how every facet of the
Hillwood
Tom Harris
company works together to create a unique environment that sets each team member up for success,” Childs said in a release. “The entrepreneurial spirit that exists at Hillwood has provided me with the opportunity to guide Alliance Aviation Cos. into its next phase at the Airport.”
Childs will lead the airport through highly anticipated rapid growth and oversee day-to-day operations of Hillwood’s three aviation divisions: Alliance Air Services, Alliance Aviation Services and Alliance Air Productions. The three entities manage the airport and fixed base operation, and produce the annual Bell Fort Worth Alliance Air Show.
Harris, with Hillwood 31 years, will move to a new role overseeing key airport infrastructure projects, activities at the AllianceTexas Mobility Innovation Zone, workforce development programs and community partnerships, and the Alliance Landscape Co., celebrating its 10-year anniversary this year.
“As I pass the baton to Christian to lead Alliance Airport into its newest chapter, I have been able to reflect over the last 30 years with a great deal of gratitude and pride for what we’ve been able to accomplish together,” Harris said.
“What was once an empty field is now a globally-recognized and thriving industrial Airport poised to change the way aviation and the supply chain intersect. Looking to the future, I’m looking forward to resuming my role in Hillwood’s workforce development and community efforts, while also leading several legacy projects to completion.”
Hillwood
Christopher Ash
Christopher Ash, with Hillwood for 25 years, was promoted to senior vice president of aviation business development, with a core function of expanding military, corporate, airline and real estate partnerships while maintaining oversight of AllianceTexas Fuel Services.
Ash will serve as a central leader within the Aviation Companies, overseeing strategic marketing efforts, advancements in aviation mobility technologies and the unmanned aerial systems proving ground operations at the MIZ.
“Chris has a longstanding track record of success and superb leadership skills, demonstrated best when he led the team that developed our airline fueling business at Alliance Airport,” Harris said. “Chris’ deep understanding of the aviation industry and what’s to come next in mobility innovation will help us exponentially in our efforts to maximize opportunities at the MIZ.”
Under Harris’ and Ash’s guidance, Hillwood will set the stage for the latest advancements in aviation technology. The MIZ and its Flight Test Center are key focus areas for the airport.
The MIZ provides customers with the scale, infrastructure and perfect backdrop to test, prove and commercialize emerging technologies in air and surface mobility. Pertinent data collected during the testing of technologies will be used to support the development of standards, regulations and Federal Aviation Administration certification guidelines.
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