2015 40 Under 40: Robert Peterson
Robert Peterson: Inspired by Grandfather’s Aviation Career
Airport Manager
Yakima Air Terminal
Age: 36
Years in Aviation: 17
Memberships: AAAE, Washington Airport Management Association (WAMA)
Did you know?
Peterson’s wife shares his love for aviation and is an airport planner and pilot.
Robert Peterson’s grandfather flew B-24s in WWII and inspired him to follow his aspirations and career goals, even when his aviation career took him far from home. After completing a Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management from Southern Illinois University and obtaining his Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) with Multi-engine rating, Peterson started his career as a flight instructor then moved into the airline industry as an operations supervisor for Atlantic Coast Airlines. He later returned to Southern Illinois University to complete his Master’s degree in Public Administration-Aviation. Peterson says he knew he would need this education to better prepare himself for an airport management position. He then accepted a position at Denver International Airport as an airport operations representative, where he learned about large hub operations and how airport departments work together to ensure safety and efficiency. With an ambition to grow and diversify his career, he took a position as an airport operations and maintenance supervisor at Dayton International Airport. Dayton gave Peterson the opportunity to supervise the daily operations both airside and landside with the experience in leading a team of more than 30 building technicians. For the last couple years, Peterson has spent his free time teaching Airport Management students as an adjunct professor for Central Washington University and training Airport Management interns at Yakima Air Terminal. Peterson says he tries to use his real world experiences and passion for aviation to inspire future pilots and airport operators. He says it has been a heart-warming experience to watch his students and interns graduate college and accept airport operations positions or continue their aviation training in the military.