Henry Isaacson, 'transformational' Triad leader, dies at 91 (2024)

Henry Isaacson, a Greensboro lawyer and chairman of the Piedmont Triad Airport Authority from 2003 to 2014, died Thursday at age 91 leaving a legacy of tireless support of the airport and Triad economic growth.

Isaacson’s final symbolic showing of that support came June 17 when he appeared at the Boom Supersonic ceremony celebrating the completion of construction of the $500 million “superfactory” at Piedmont Triad International Airport.

Isaacson made the rounds offering congratulations to Boom executives, local and state elected officials, and local and state economic developers for having the foresight and confidence to consider the airport and the region for such a high-risk, high-reward endeavor.

Isaacson had a knack of seeing beyond political animosities, engaging elected officials at a professional and often congenial personal level.

It was a fitting appearance, considering that PTI likely would not have been a viable landing spot for Boom if not for Isaacson’s pivotal role in navigating the FedEx East Coast sorting hub project through five years of controversial environmental, legal and regulatory challenges to its 2003 opening.

The FedEx hub has served as the catalyst in proving the PTI campus could be a viable economic-development engine beyond just passenger service.

Among the projects PTI accomplished during his 11 years as chairman and 15 years on the board: establishing the initial presence of Honda Aircraft Co.; expanding what was TIMCO’s maintenance facilities; a new runway; a new road system onto the campus; a needed renovation of the airport terminal; and trying — often in vain — to secure a long-term low-airfare solution.

In a 2014 article in the Winston-Salem Journal about his retirement, Isaacson said his top airport authority accomplishment “had to do with changing our mission statement to include economic development as a major component of that statement.”

“The airport was also modernized and the interior was updated. This has given the terminal a completely new look.”

Isaacson summed up the interview by saying “the future for growth at PTI is, in my opinion, unlimited.”

Those foundational steps helped PTI executive director Kevin Baker successfully market the airport campus to new tenants, such as Marshall Aerospace, and a major expansion with Honda Aircraft and HAECO.

“Most of the community will never know all the things that he did to help this region grow and prosper,” said Baker, who has served as executive director since September 2010. “Certainly, the airport was one of his primary focus points, and his impact here was huge.

“But his legacy is much broader than just the airport. The whole community owes him a debt of gratitude for 91 years of tireless service.

“He never stopped working.”

Constantly driven

Isaacson guided and cajoled for all those things as airport authority chairman between ages 70 and 81 when most businessmen would have been several years into their retirement.

Isaacson wasn’t shy about urging, if not prodding, airlines to address having higher prices out of PTI than Charlotte Douglas and Raleigh-Durham international airports.

For example, in October 2006, Isaacson fired off a strongly worded letter to Delta Air Lines Inc.’s top executive that its high local fares were driving Triad passengers to other airports,

Isaacson wrote that his research on www.delta.com found the airline’s fares at PTI were up to seven times higher than those it offers for the same destination at Charlotte Douglas and Raleigh-Durham international airports.

“I am writing to you to express my concerns and the concern of the entire Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina with regards to Delta’s discriminatory pricing policy at Piedmont Triad International Airport,” Isaacson wrote.

“After meeting numerous times with your Atlanta staff, we feel that this problem now needs your personal attention.”

Isaacson told the Journal at that time that Delta’s high fares are “like a cancer that is eating away at the airport and flight affordability of Triad passengers. “I’m not going to let that continue without at least putting up a fight.”

Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines, who worked with Isaacson on negotiating with airlines, said Isaacson “left a major mark on the Triad.”

“His leadership as chairman of the airport authority was vital at a very critical time for the airport in dealing with land assembly and development.

“His visionary thinking helped to set the airport up for the development we are experiencing now.”

Keith Debbage, professor emeritus of UNC Greensboro’s Department of Geography, Environment and Sustainability, said “you cannot underestimate the key role Henry played in shaping the rapidly growing trajectory of PTI.”

“During his tenure as chairman, he fully grasped that our region could not necessarily compete head-to-head with Charlotte or RDU despite his relentless pursuit of Southwest Airlines and other passenger airlines.

“Instead, he fully embraced the aerotropolis notion that an airport could also be a hub for major economic development efforts on, and adjacent to, airport land.”

Debbage said Isaacson directed the “long gestation period required to assemble large land parcels near the airport.”

“Henry should be applauded for staunchly supporting a long-term vision for success ... all of this has paid off handsomely with the arrival of Boom Supersonic, Marshall Aerospace, HondaJet, HAICO and many others.

“In that sense, Henry’s legacy lives on and he will be sorely missed.”

Not just at PTI

Isaacson’s longevity and perseverance wasn’t just at PTI.

A native of Greensboro, he practiced law in the city from 1961 until retiring in 2022 after serving in the Judge Advocate General’s Department of the U.S. Air Force. He founded the firm now known as Isaacson Sheridan in 1980 with his son, Marc, joining in 1983.

Henry’s practice covered various areas of zoning and land use regulation, as well as civil litigation and general corporate law.

Among his other civic contributions included: serving on the N.C. A&T State University Board of Trustees; founding board member of the North Carolina for Community and Justice chapter of the Piedmont Triad; Human Relations Commission of Greensboro; City of Greensboro/Guilford County Intergovernmental Task Force; and leadership roles with Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, Greensboro Merchants Association, National Conference of Christians and Jews, N.C. Aeronautics Council, One Step Further, Piedmont Triad Partnership and International Civil Rights Center and Museum.

Isaacson is survived by his wife of 69 years, Alice; his daughters Gail Bernstein and Carol Basile; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Temple Emanuel on Greene Street, 713 N. Greene St., Greensboro.

“We are proud and honored to continue to practice with the Isaacson name on our door,” said Amanda Hodierne, a partner with Isaacson Sheridan.

“Henry established a culture here at Isaacson Sheridan that focuses on community and service to that community. He worked for over 40 years to make Greensboro a wonderful place to live for everyone.”

“Henry’s work and vision as chairman of the Piedmont Triad Airport Authority was transformational to our city from the added employment opportunities and economic development to the expanded travel option available to Greensboro residents.

“Henry did all of this while treating everyone he encountered with courtesy and respect. He will be missed.”