2025 Airport Business Top 40 Under 40: Seth Hatchell, MBA

• Hometown: Laurinburg, NC
• Alma Mater: Undergraduate - Liberty University ; Graduate - University of North Carolina at Pembroke
• What’s one airport that inspires you? Raleigh Executive Jetport (KTTA)

For Seth Hatchell, Executive Director of the Southeast Regional Airport Authority, aviation has always been about people. “Working in this industry, we have the unique opportunity to meet individuals from all over the world,” he says. “It’s always amazing to me how small the world of aviation truly is.” That people-first mindset, combined with a passion for community-driven leadership, has guided Hatchell’s success in transforming the Laurinburg-Maxton Airport (KMEB) into a thriving regional hub.

Under Hatchell’s leadership, the airport has secured FAA funding for a new terminal building—one of only two general aviation airports in North Carolina to do so. He also obtained matching funds from the NCDOT Division of Aviation, ensuring full support for the landmark project. In addition, he has overseen the development of a new fuel farm, two T-Hangar facilities, and extensive pavement rehabilitation across the airfield, with more long-term projects ahead under the Statewide Pavement Management (SPAM) initiative.

Hatchell’s love of aviation began early. “While I was an undergraduate student at Liberty University, I had the opportunity to ride ‘back-seat’ for a cross-country flight to Richmond, Virginia,” he recalls. “I knew from the moment the wheels left the runway that I had to have a career in aviation.” Today, that early spark fuels his dedication to shaping the future of the field. “The possibilities are quite literally endless,” he says, citing advancements like AAM, electric aircraft, and sustainable fuels as key opportunities ahead.

In addition to earning his North Carolina Airport Professional Credential (NCAP), Hatchell serves on the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Airports Association and the Continuous Improvement Committee with NCDOT Division of Aviation. Guided by the principles of servant leadership instilled by his parents, Hatchell is committed to sharing knowledge and mentoring peers. “A rising tide lifts all ships,” he says. “We’re all in this together, and I always try to contribute in ways that leave the industry better than when I entered it.”