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Bryan Budds

Commission director

Bryan Budds currently serves as the director of the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Office of Aeronautics and the Michigan Aeronautics Commission (MAC). He is responsible for managing nearly $100 million in airport development assistance to more than 200 airports in Michigan. These airports contribute approximately $22 billion in annual economic impact to the state.

Budds leads a team of more than 45 employees, working to meet Michigan’s aviation objectives related to planning, programming and project management of airport development across the state; inspection and licensing of Michigan’s 210 publicly owned airports; operation and maintenance of state aircraft and the Automated Weather Operating Systems; and leading the integration of emerging aviation technologies into Michigan’s airspace system. In addition, he directs and supports the activities of the MAC, the governing body that oversees all aviation-related activities in the state.

Previously serving as the deputy administrator of the Office of Aeronautics and as advisor to the MAC, Budds oversaw the two functional sections within the office, including the Airport Planning and Development Section and the Aviation Services Section. He also acted as a liaison between the Michigan Legislature and the MAC.

Prior to his work at MDOT, Budds served as the Great Lakes regional manager for a national aviation association, where he developed and executed state legislative initiatives impacting general aviation within the region, supported fair and reasonable airport access through education and outreach efforts with state and local leaders, and supported membership engagement and communications activities to develop a robust aviation system. Budds has held several other positions across the legislative and executive branches of both state and federal government.

A graduate of Michigan State University, Budds earned a Bachelor of Arts in public administration and public policy. He also earned a Master of Arts in transportation policy, operations, and logistics from the George Mason University Schar School of Policy and Government.

An active private and remote pilot, Budds is a certified member of the American Association of Airport Executives.