2024 Airport Business Top 40 Under 40: Kyle C. Wanner

Kyle C. Wanner
Executive Director
North Dakota Aeronautics Commission
Age 37

Kyle Wanner has served as the Executive Director of the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission since 2014, taking on this leadership role at just 26 during the high-stakes Bakken oil boom. Faced with surging demands on the state’s aviation infrastructure, Wanner quickly established himself as a consensus-building advocate, securing critical funding and resources for airports across North Dakota. His successful collaboration with the FAA, state legislature, and local communities has resulted in over $200 million in additional funding allocated to state-wide airport improvement projects, including the construction of new airports in Bowman and Williston. Today, North Dakota’s Aeronautics Commission is a key player in supporting and modernizing the state’s 89 public-use airports.

“Working for a state aviation organization with a tradition of excellence has been a deeply rewarding experience,” he said. “Every day feels like a step towards building a stronger, more vibrant system of airports. What makes it even more fulfilling are the people—the colleagues who share a passion for aviation and the friendships forged along the way.”

Wanner’s influence extends to the national stage through his role as Chair of the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO). He has been instrumental in advancing significant aviation initiatives, including signing two Memorandums of Understanding with the FAA and serving on the FAA’s Aviation Rulemaking Committee for UAS Detection and Mitigation. Additionally, as a longtime board member of the Northern Plains UAS Test Site Authority, he has helped position North Dakota as a leader in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) integration, championing the VANTIS project to safely bring UAS into the National Airspace System.

A University of North Dakota graduate with dual degrees in Airport Management and Air Traffic Control, Wanner also serves on several boards, including the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute and the North Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame. His collaborative, common-sense approach has earned him a reputation as a forward-thinking leader committed to sustainable aviation growth and innovation.