In 1948, then airport manager, Hugh Finnegan, saw what was happening in aviation, and was quoted in the Burlington Free Press saying, "This is the age of expansion of the airlines industry." It was his intention that BTV would not be left behind. Finnegan saw the airport through tremendous expansion. By the time of his unexpected death in 1958, BTV consisted of 942 acres (up from 72 in 1920), boasted a new terminal and modern control tower, improved runways, and thoroughly accommodated the swelling ranks and infrastructure needs of the Vermont National Guard.