Veteran FAA air traffic controller Hank Hermosillo retires from Chicago Executive Airport

Reflecting on his time at CEA, Hermosillo shared some of his favorite memories about the airport. “Andrew, Norm and all the guys that worked here made our jobs fun,” he said. “We had a really great rapport with each other, and it was fun any time I was interacting with them.”

He also praised the award-winning snow removal team at CEA, calling them the best in the nation for their tireless efforts during Chicago winters to ensure safe environments for planes.

Hermosillo expressed that he will miss events hosted at the airport, including Run the Runway and Rock the Runway. “The CEA team is always professional; everything the airport does has been spectacular,” he said. “When you get to do what you love—and I loved doing it—I’m going to miss the heck out of it.”

Post-retirement, Hermosillo plans to stay local and explore other opportunities, including potentially becoming an instructor. He also offered advice for future air traffic controllers: “Don’t be afraid to take a chance; it’s an opportunity of a lifetime,” he said. “When a pilot is clearly disoriented or confused, and you hear it in their voice after they safely land how grateful they are that you kept them safe—that’s worth it beyond words.”