2025 Airport Business Top 40 Under 40: Emily G. Hackler

Emily Hackler has built her career at the intersection of airport management, education, and community outreach, transforming Jasper County Airport (KRZL) into a hub of innovation and growth. As the first female airport manager in the airport’s history, she has broken barriers while establishing herself as a results-oriented leader committed to expanding opportunities in aviation.

Hackler holds certifications as a Private Pilot, Advanced Ground Instructor, and Indiana-licensed aviation educator. She launched and continues to lead the first high school aviation program at KRZL, which has grown dramatically in enrollment and earned her recognition as a West Central Top 10 Honorary Educator nominee. “One of the most rewarding parts of my work is introducing young people to aviation—watching their excitement the first time they sit in a cockpit or talk about a future in this industry,” she says.

Her leadership extends beyond the classroom. At KRZL, she has overseen major phases of the airport’s master plan, including land acquisition and hangar development, while driving measurable increases in operations, fuel sales, and based aircraft. She has also positioned the airport as a partner in national research and training by attracting Purdue University, the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Windracers, and Saab to conduct testing and operations on site.

Community engagement remains central to Hackler’s vision. From organizing Aviation Career Days and Young Eagles flights to hosting aviation summer camps, she has made the airport a gathering place for education and inspiration. Through her vision and persistence, she is proving how small airports can deliver an outsized impact on their communities and the aviation industry at large.