Jim Gattis
2025
Jim Gattis was instrumental in launching the California International Air Show in the early 1980s. A commercial real estate professional and leader within the Salinas business community, Jim became involved when the Blue Angels called to ask if Salinas could fill an unexpected cancellation in their schedule in 1981. Ninety days later, CIAS hosted their first show. As a member of the ICAS Board of Directors, Gattis traveled the country introducing other air shows to the unique “Salinas Plan” that he and his team created to fund the show and help support local philanthropies. He is the 1985 recipient of the ICAS Sword of Excellence and becomes just the tenth air show event organizer to be inducted into the Air Show Hall of Fame.
