Director, Lakes Regional Airports Division

Job Title

The Director, Great Lakes Regional Airports Division, directs the implementation and compliance with national aviation transportation policy across the eight states covered by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Great Lakes Region. The Director oversees airport sponsors' adherence to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems, Airport Safety and Certification requirements, the Passenger Facility Charge Program, Airport Environmental Programs, and other statutory and policy mandates.

The Director exercises executive oversight of subordinate Airport District Offices in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. The incumbent oversees a workforce of approximately 74 employees, including seven senior managers, and manages an annual budget of roughly $400 million.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Provides executive leadership for all regional airport programs. Oversees and evaluates airport program effectiveness, establishes program goals and priorities, directs regional policy and standards development, and coordinates airport planning with public and private partners.
• Ensures compliance with Federal agreements and airport design standards. Verifies sponsor adherence to Federal aid conditions, oversees application of Federal planning, design, construction, and maintenance standards, and conducts compliance reviews.
• Oversees environmental and noise regulatory programs. Ensures compliance with NEPA and all statutory environmental requirements, directs regional environmental programs, and administers the Noise Compatibility Program under Part 150.
• Administers airport safety certification and real property programs. Leads the Airport Certification Program under Part 139, exercises line authority over ADOs and AFOs, ensures compliance with PL 91-646 relocation and property acquisition requirements, and oversees conveyance of public property for airport use.
• Provides executive advisory services and leads high-level stakeholder engagement. Advises the Associate Administrator for Airports on significant program activities, conducts special studies, and engages extensively with airport sponsors, industry partners, oversight bodies, elected officials, environmental groups, and FAA executives to ensure compliance and advancement of agency programs.