November-December 2022 - 38

Age: 39
Employer: Baton
Rouge Metropolitan
Airport
Hometown:
Mandeville, LA
Alma mater:
University of North
Dakota; Tulane
University
Mike Edwards,
Director of Aviation, Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport
Mike Edwards saw " Top Gun " at a friend's house when he
was 7 and never stopped looking up. He acknowledges it's
a cliché, but said it's true nonetheless. When he got older,
he had the opportunity to travel commercially, attend air
shows, and see the Blue Angels. After college graduation,
he started working in airport operations.
In 2018 he became the youngest person appointed to
serve as director of aviation at Baton Rouge Metropolitan
Airport (BTR).
" I feel extremely fortunate to lead an experienced and
dedicated team of over 80 airport professionals, " he
said. " I'm a people person, and it's a true privilege to
come to work each day and collaborate with a team of
professionals who are as motivated and enthusiastic
about improving our airport as I am. I have a 6-year-old
son and a 7-year-old daughter, and they have grown up
around the airport, so much so that they often refer to
it as 'Daddy's airport.' While I'm always quick to point
out that 'Daddy doesn't own the airport,' it's still a great
illustration of how much time and effort goes into running
an airport. Our team gives 100 percent of their time and
way. BTR recently underwent 5-year strategic planning.
" My focus here is currently on expanding air service,
improving the customer experience, developing our
Aviation Business Park, and improving our workforce
and leadership development program, " he said.
Given the industry challenges of recruitment and retention,
Edwards, a licensed pilot - single engine aircraft and
rotorcraft, would like to see a greater focus on developing
the next generation of airport and aviation professionals.
BTR has partnered with Helix Aviation, which provides
an aviation-focused STEAM-based curriculum. Edwards
said, " It is my hope that the Helix model is one that can be
duplicated at other airports. If we're truly going to address
the workforce challenges of our industry, we need to get
outside of our comfort zone and provide innovative ways
to introduce aviation to the next generation. "
www.AviationPros.com/21280768
talent to making our airport a success, and it all starts
with having a sense of ownership. "
Edwards also enjoys planning and development, which
include the $100 million in capital improvements underAge:
38
Employer:
Indianapolis Airport
Authority
Hometown:
North Vernon, IN
Alma Mater:
Indiana State
University
Kyle Elliott, C.M., ACE,
Airport Lead Operations Manager, Indianapolis Airport Authority
As the Indianapolis Airport Authority (IAA) Airport lead
operations manager, Kyle Elliott is responsible for the
airport's FAA Part 139 compliance by leading a team
who work 24/7 to ensure the airfield's pavement is in
good condition, markings and lights are visible, wildlife
is minimized, and winter operations run smoothly.
For more than a decade, he has served the operations
team in various roles in airfield maintenance, the airport
technical shop, and airport operations. In 2019, he was
promoted to his current role.
" Every day it's something different. There's always a
challenge. ...One of the big ones is diversions here at
the airport. Those are always a challenge, we have to
work with our business partners and then plus US Customs
and Border Protection, " said Elliott. " And then another
example is when we're doing snow removal here at the
airport. No one snow is like another one. "
Elliott attended Indiana State University where he earned
a B.S. in aerospace administration and an A.S. in general
aviation flight technology. He holds a commercial pilot
certificate and instrument rating.
" It's not an easy industry to get into because you have
to start at the bottom, " he said. " You gotta build your
resume as you go. I think a lot of people when they get
out of college, they think that they can just drop right
into an airport operations job. But usually it takes a few
years, you know, doing something at a smaller airport
whether it be management, maintenance. That's kind of
the route that I went was with maintenance just to get
my foot in the door. "
www.AviationPros.com/21278781
Every day it's something
different. There's
always a challenge.
38 \ AIRPORT BUSINESS / NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022
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November-December 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of November-December 2022
