2012 Top 40: Jeff Bourk

Aug. 21, 2012

Jeff Bourk

Executive Director

Branson Airport

Date of Birth: 9-15-72

Years in Aviation: 23

Jeff Bourk was raised in Manchester, NH. He quickly found that aviation was in his blood at a very young age. He made his first solo flight at age sixteen and received his pilot's license at seventeen. Bourk attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida; he later furthered his education and received an MBA from Daniel Webster College. He became an Accredited Airport Executive in 2003.

Bourk has more than 20 years of airport and FBO management experience. His aviation career started in operations at the Teterboro Airport, Westchester County, and Portland Airport. He spent six years in the New York area and then moved to Portland, Maine, working in airport management. In addition, while living in Portland, he and his wife Michele owned and operated their own FBO with over 60 based aircraft.

In September 2007, Jeff made a life-changing decision and relocated to Branson, MO, with his wife Michele and Daughter Katie. He moved to Branson to take on a new challenge as the executive director of the Branson Airport. The Branson Airport opened on May 11, 2009 as the first fully privatized airport in the U.S. and the first non-replacement commercial service airport built in 40 years.

His job initially was to oversee the construction process, implement the business plan, and get the airport under construction ready for operation. Today, he is the senior executive onsite responsible for the continued development of:  Branson Airport; FlyBranson Travel, a full service travel agency; Branson JetCenter, a fixed-based operation; and Branson AirExpress, a scheduled public charter operation. In just three years in operation, the Branson Airport is the 200th largest commercial service airport in the country. In addition to its growth, Southwest Airlines recently announced intentions to serve the market starting in 2013.