The DuPage Airport Authority (DAA) board of directors recently announced the hiring of Mark Doles as executive director. Doles had been serving as the interim Executive Director since David Bird retired from the post earlier this year.
“There’s nobody more qualified than Mark to oversee all aspects of the DAA, including a robust business center, championship golf course and an airport on pace for more than 100,000 flight operations this calendar year,” said Stephen Davis, Chairman, DuPage Airport Authority. “These are vital, long-term economic engines in DuPage County, and we’re thrilled to have Mark leading the operation into the future.”
Doles celebrated 30 years of service with the DAA in July 2019. His first foray into aviation was as a member of the DuPage Airport summer crew while studying at Augustana College. His responsibilities grew with his tenure and in 2007 also became director of the DuPage Flight Center. In his many roles, Doles oversaw all facets of the Authority, including operations, maintenance, airfield and building construction, land acquisition, real estate & leasing, business development and finance.
Over his 30 years with the Authority, Mark has been responsible for various large-scale projects, including the construction of the south airfield with two new runways, four runway extensions, the widening of the primary runway to 150 feet, a new control tower, Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Facility , airfield maintenance building, flight center building and the addition of U.S. Customs. Landholdings have also grown to almost 3,000 acres in addition to the development of Prairie Landing Golf Club and the DuPage Business Center.
“As a lifelong DuPage County resident, I’m honored to lead the next chapter of the DuPage Airport Authority,” Doles said. “I look forward to spearheading continued growth, development and innovation in order to best serve our users, neighbors and community partners.”
Mark is an active participant with numerous aviation associations including NBAA, NATA, and AAAE. He is a past chairman and active member of the Illinois Public Airport Association since 1996. Mark has been a member of the Chicago Area Business Aviation Association since its inception and currently is on the Board of Directors and a member of the Governmental Affairs Committee.
