Every day at Conroe–North Houston Regional Airport (CXO), air traffic controllers work behind the scenes to keep aircraft moving safely and efficiently. Their voices are familiar to countless pilots, but the individuals behind those voices have stories that extend far beyond the tower. On October 29, 2026, friends, family, and members of the local aviation community gathered at Galaxy FBO CXO to celebrate two longtime air traffic controllers, Erv “ER” Funk and John “BJ” Mitchell, as they prepared to close remarkable chapters in their aviation careers. BJ officially retired on October 29, while Erv will hang up his headset on December 12. Both began working at the CXO Air Traffic Control Tower in 2009, bringing decades of experience from some of the nation’s busiest aviation environments.
Two Careers, One Unexpected Connection
Although their paths into aviation were different, Erv and BJ share an interesting connection: both began their air traffic control careers following the 1981 Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO) strike. For Erv, aviation was a childhood passion. Growing up in Reading, Pennsylvania, he spent time listening to radio communications from his local airport’s air traffic control tower. “I always wanted to be a controller,” Erv recalls. When the PATCO strike occurred in 1981, Erv was offered a position at his hometown airport in Reading. It was an opportunity that brought his childhood fascination full circle. “I then met the controllers I was listening to for years. What a great start.” Erv went on to serve at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) before retiring from the FAA in 2006.
BJ’s entry into aviation was a little less conventional. “My first aviation-related job was the night watchman at the Arlington airport, which included mopping the terminal floor and cleaning the bathrooms. Real glamorous,” he recalls. That job eventually led to a position as an airport lineman. While working to build flight time, the air traffic controllers’ strike created an unexpected career opportunity. “An ATC job? Why not? It wasn’t anywhere in my plans. It just happened.” What began as an unplanned career choice turned into 44 years in air traffic control, including time at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).
Watching Conroe Airport Grow
When Erv and BJ arrived at CXO in 2009, Conroe Airport was a considerably different place. “CXO Tower was a (FAA) retirement job which I worked part time along with BJ, sharing a full-time line,” Erv explains. Both had already accumulated extensive experience in air traffic control and initially viewed CXO as an opportunity to continue working in aviation on a part-time basis.
“We used to consider 250 operations a day busy,” BJ remembers. For Erv, one of the biggest challenges in those early days was the lack of radar technology in the tower. “It was slower then but had no radar. Had to rely and find aircraft based on position reports, which was sometimes difficult.” As CXO continued to grow, new technology helped controllers manage the increasing complexity of airport operations. “Radar came to us with improved technology. But so did the traffic and the need for increased technologies,” Erv recalls.
Today, Conroe Airport supports a diverse mix of general aviation, flight training, and business aircraft operations. The variety of aircraft and pilot experience levels presents unique challenges for the controllers coordinating traffic. “One of the most challenging aspects of ATC at CXO is the variety of aircraft types and level of pilot experience,” BJ explains. From student pilots learning to fly to experienced crews operating corporate jets, the CXO tower plays an important role in supporting safe and efficient airport operations.
Advice for the Next Generation of Air Traffic Controllers
Air traffic control is a demanding profession requiring concentration, sound judgment, and the ability to make decisions under pressure. Both Erv and BJ recognize the challenges facing today’s controllers, particularly staffing and workload. BJ points to understaffing and six-day workweeks as major concerns within the profession. For those considering a career in air traffic control, his advice is straightforward: “It’s been pretty good to me. However, be thick-skinned and be prepared to have everything you do or say on the job questioned and critiqued. Just part of it.”
Erv also offers insight into an important distinction within the profession. While CXO controllers operate according to FAA standards, they work at a contract air traffic control tower rather than as FAA-employed controllers. “We at CXO are contract controllers. Even though we work with FAA standards, we are not FAA, meaning our staffing levels are less,” he explains. For aspiring controllers without prior experience, Erv encourages exploring employment opportunities with the FAA, which provides paid training for eligible candidates. “FAA air traffic control is a good starting point if you have no prior experience. They provide training while you are paid. I encourage anyone interested to check out this option. It was a rewarding career.”
For those inspired by Erv and BJ’s careers, air traffic control offers an opportunity to play an essential role in aviation safety. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provides training pathways for qualified candidates, including paid training for entry-level controllers. Aspiring aviation professionals can explore career opportunities, eligibility requirements, and training programs through the FAA’s Air Traffic Controller Hiring website. Additional information is available through the FAA’s Collegiate Training Initiative.
A New Chapter Beyond the Tower
After 44 years of telling pilots where to go, BJ announced his retirement in his signature style: “I am out of here on the 29th. After 44 years of telling people where to go, it’s enough!“ For BJ, retirement means trading radio communications and demanding work schedules for cowboy boots, country living, and family time. “It’s time to go play cowboy at our little place west of Fort Worth and be Umpa to my granddaughter.”
For Erv, December 12 will mark his second retirement, having previously retired from the FAA in 2006. After another 17 years at CXO, he’s ready to embrace a new chapter. “I am happy at this point in my life and will continue into a different phase.”
The October 29 celebration at Galaxy FBO CXO brought together friends, family, and fellow aviation professionals to recognize two individuals whose careers have touched countless pilots and members of the local aviation community. While the voices on the radio may change, the friendships, memories, and contributions of Erv “ER” Funk and John “BJ” Mitchell will remain part of the airport’s history. From all of us at Galaxy FBO, thank you, Erv and BJ, for your dedication, professionalism, and years of service to the aviation community. We wish you both a wonderful retirement filled with family, friends, and new adventures. Congratulations, gentlemen. You’ve earned it!
