Flights to more destinations. Record numbers of passengers. And a November opening of the largest expansion in the history of Fresno Yosemite International Airport.

These are just some of the legacies of Fresno airport director Henry Thompson, who died earlier this month.

“Henry Thompson has done more for our Fresno Air Terminal in the short period of time that he’s been here than anyone that I can recall,” Mayor Jerry Dyer said.

Last year, the airport set a record for most passengers at 2.7 million — its fourth straight year of growth since 2020 and the COVID pandemic.

Since the city hired Thompson in December 2021, the city added or increased flights to Chicago, Portland, Dallas, Salt Lake City, Atlanta, and Las Vegas.

Thompson oversaw the $150 million expansion project, known as “FAT Forward,” which will see a new terminal open in the fall. Already, a new parking lot, expanding security screening, and artwork are in operation.

Dyer said the expansion would not have happened without Thompson.

“Henry Thompson was an incredible director of our airport and more importantly an incredible human being,” Dyer said.

Thompson, 59, died July 13 at a residence in suburban Las Vegas. The Clark County coroner’s office said the cause of death is pending.

Interim Director Named

Dyer named Francisco Partida as interim director of aviation. He joined FYI in 2023 as assistant director. He has 20 years of airport management experience, coming to the city from Brownsville, Texas.

The city has not discussed how to fill Thompson’s position permanently.

“We really have not had the conversations about how we’re going to move forward with Henry’s replacement. But what we do know, it’s going to be some incredibly big shoes to fill,” Dyer said.

The city flew flags at City Hall at half-staff last week in honor of Thompson. Dyer said a permanent memorial is possible.

New Tavlian Group Formed to Help Local Candidates

Fresno political consultant Alex Tavlian founded a new fundraising committee, “to support candidates across the Central Valley of California.”

Tavlian is listed as the principal officer of the Central Valley Council, which filed paperwork with the Fresno County Clerk on July 13.

In March, Tavlian found himself in legal trouble with the city of Fresno for failure to disclose his involvement in dark money group Fresno Future Forward. The group sent a mailer in the Fresno City Council District 5 special election, accusing eventual winner Brandon Vang of statutory rape.

Vang denied the claim.

Following a GV Wire investigation, Fresno Future Forward amended its paperwork revealing Tavlian as its principal officer. The city fined the group $1,000, which it recently paid.

The state’s campaign finance enforcer, the Fair Political Practices Commission, has an open investigation into Tavlian and Fresno Future Forward.

In an unrelated filing, the Fresno Teachers Association PAC for Education reported paying Park West Associates — a Tavlian consulting firm — $25,675 for the first six months of 2025.

The teachers’ union also listed consultant payments to Carns Consulting, operated by Jason Carns for $21,000; and Valley Impact Strategies, run by Pedro Ramirez, for $8,000.

FPPC Hires Fresno State Alum As New Chief

Kendall Bonebrake is moving from representing trains to representing the state’s Democratic process.

The FPPC named Bonebrake as its new chief of enforcement on Tuesday.

Bonebrake graduated with a marketing degree from Fresno State before earning her Juris Doctor from the UC Davis School of Law.

The FPPC said it prosecuted more than 1,000 cases in 2024, resulting in more than $802,000 in fines.

“Under her leadership, we’re confident the Division will continue to focus on the most serious violations while ensuring fair, timely, and transparent enforcement,” said Adam Silver, FPPC chair, in a news release..

Bonebrake previously served as assistant chief counsel for the California High-Speed Rail Authority.

“Ethical governance is fundamental to maintaining the public’s trust in officials and institutions, and this role provides an opportunity to ensure that those entrusted with public service put the public interest above personal gain,” Bonebrake said.

Maxwell Recruits Experienced Staffer

Earlier this year, Fresno City Councilmember Tyler Maxwell said experienced help for his office was hard to find. Well, he has now found someone.

Itzi Robles, no stranger to Fresno City Hall, is returning to serve as Maxwell’s chief of staff.

She previously worked for former Councilmember Esmeralda Soria from 2016 until 2021, before joining the office of state Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula.

“From organizing community events, connecting constituents to vital resources, and supporting legislative efforts that uplift our region — to working alongside passionate public servants who deeply care about the Central Valley — this role has been nothing short of an honor,” Robles wrote on Facebook about leaving Arambula’s office.

Robles is also an elected member of the Fresno County Board of Education.

Maxwell says Robles brings a “wealth of experience.”

“Her experience on the Fresno County Board of Education aligns well with our district goals of investing into the success and well-being of our city’s youth,” Maxwell said.