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DeThomas retires after five years as Aeronautics administrator

After leading ITD’s Division of Aeronautics the past 5½ years, JV (John) DeThomas this week announced plans to retire – again. The Idaho native came to ITD in 2007 after a 24-year career and formal retirement from the U.S. Navy and operating a family farm in the Magic Valley.

ITD Chief Deputy Scott Stokes will serve as interim administrator of the division until a permanent replacement is named.

“I want to thank JV for his leadership and his service. He had a profound influence on aviation in Idaho and was administrator of the division when the Idaho Airport System Plan was completed in 2010.

“Even while serving as administrator of the Aeronautics Division, JV maintained a hands-on approach, regularly shuttling governors, Idaho Transportation Board members, ITD employees and other agency representatives around the state on work-related flights.”

Among the on-board dignitaries was John G. Roberts Jr., Chief Justice of the United States, who presented the University of Idaho’s Sherman J. Bellwood Memorial Lecture in 2009. JV and Flight Operations Director Mike Pape flew Roberts from the Boise Air Terminal to the Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport.

DeThomas left the military in 1985, retiring as a captain. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., in 1965, provided combat support for troops during the Vietnam War, and received a number of commendations and medals.

After his first retirement, he became director of flight operations for Raytheon Aircraft Co. in Wichita, Kan., was a defense system manager for Lockheed Aeronautical Systems in Burbank, Calif., and director of flight training for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s western campus in Prescott, Ariz.

He was born in Rupert and was operating his family’s farm immediately before coming to ITD.