Joel Martinez

Joel C. Martinez, Director of Aviation for the City of Waco, over 20 years of experience in airport management.

Prior to assuming his current position in December 2008, he served at the Del Rio International Airport for five years as the Assistant Airport Director.  He was then promoted to Airport Director in the spring of 2007.

During his tenure at Del Rio International, he obtained and managed over $20 million dollars of State and Federal grants for the construction of a new terminal building, runway extension, and taxiway and apron expansions.  In 2005, he was instrumental in securing daily Continental Connection service between Del Rio and Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport.

During his time the Del Rio International Airport the airport became one out of two communities nationwide to successfully implement the Small Communities Air Service Program.  In 2008, Del Rio International was named “Most Improved Airport of the Year” by the Aviation Division of the Texas Department of Transportation. 

Since arriving in Waco, in December of 2008 he has overseen several Airport Improvement Projects totaling nearly $75 million dollars.  In November of 2011 Waco Regional Airport was named “Texas Airport of the Year” by the Federal Aviation Administration’s Southwest Region. 

In 2015 Joel began teaching in the Institute for Air Science and supporting an internship program at Baylor University’s Aviation Sciences Department.

Martinez, 44, holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Sul Ross State University and certifications in Part 139 compliance, airport security, and fuel quality control.  He is married to Priscilla for 20 years, and the father of six children, Jaylin 23, Gabriella 19 Andrea 16, Isabella 15, Joel II 13 and Ava Grace 8.