Terence H. Fontaine is a native Houstonian and a product of the Houston Independent School District, graduating from Bellaire High School in 1978. After graduation, Fontaine entered the United States Marine Corps where he began a career in aviation. During his seven-year tenure in the Marines, Fontaine worked in aviation operations, learned to fly and studied aircraft maintenance while serving his country stateside and abroad. Fontaine lived and studied abroad while working towards earning his Bachelor of Science Degree in Aviation Management from Southern Illinois University.
In 1986, after an Honorable Discharge, Fontaine enrolled in Rice Aviation School to become a licensed Aircraft Technician. He also attended Cliff Hyde Flying Service to continue his flight training. In 1989, Fontaine joined the Technical Operations Division of Continental Airlines in Houston, TX. While at Continental Airlines, Fontaine worked in many capacities including Aircraft Maintenance Supervisor and Project Engineer. In 1994 he was promoted to Manager of Maintenance Operations.
In 1996, Fontaine transferred to the Flight Operations Division where he worked as a Pilot Instructor on the Boeing 727 and 777. After joining the training department, Fontaine continued his education and achieved an Airline Transport Pilot’s License. From 2000-2003, Fontaine served as both a Pilot and Pilot Instructor on the EMB-145 aircraft. He is also credited with authoring the current training program for the EMB-145 at ExpressJet Airlines.
In January 2004, Mayor Bill White appointed Fontaine as a direct report in the capacity of Deputy Chief of Staff responsible for monitoring, measuring and improving the city’s day-to-day operations. In the wake of the mass evacuation of neighboring Gulf States as a direct result of Hurricane Katrina, Fontaine was chosen by Mayor White to serve as co-site manager for the City’s recovery efforts headquartered at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Under his leadership, the site received national recognition for its overwhelming impact on the lives of more than 28,000 evacuees and survivors who received shelter and services during the center’s three weeks of operation. In 2008 while working for the City, Fontaine graduated from the University of Houston Bauer Business School earning an Executive MBA.
In 2009, Fontaine was appointed by the Mayor to the METRO Board of Directors. In 2010, a new President and CEO assumed control of METRO and Fontaine was hired as a Vice President. After being promoted to Executive Vice President in 2013, Fontaine assumed oversight of several departments to include; Government Affairs, Public Affairs, Real Estate, Marketing, Facilities, Human Resources, IT, Purchasing and Innovation. Fontaine resigned from METRO in 2017.
In 2018, Dr. Fontaine was hired as the Director of Aviation at Texas Southern University. He oversees approximately one hundred students and several Professors in a premier Bachelor of Science Degree Program in Aviation Science and Technology. The program offers two degree tracks, in either Aviation Management or Professional Pilot.
Fontaine is a member of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church where he serves as a Deacon. His hobbies include politics, boating, flying, bicycling (completed the MS 150 bicycle ride from Houston to Austin), motorcycle riding, snowboarding, and encouraging young people to continue their education.
In 2017, Fontaine elected as a Vice President and Officer in Charge of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. He has served as Chairman, Director or Advisor on many boards including; the historic Eldorado Social Club, the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Houston Conventions and Visitors Bureau, Houston Community College Foundation Board, United Negro College Fund Board, Communities in Schools, Congressman Al Green’s Military Academy Board, the Houston Area Urban League and the William A. Lawson Institute for Peace and Prosperity. He is a member of Sigma Pi Phi and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternities and the Organization of Black Airline Pilots. He was most recently named to the Friends of MacGregor Park Board. Fontaine was honored and profiled in the fifth edition of Who’s Who in Black Houston.
Dr. Fontaine is the son of Sam and Beverlye Fontaine and is married to the former Ms. Diedra Booker. They have one daughter, Courtney Ann Fontaine, who is a student at Tulane University Law School.