Rick Taig
Director of Operations - F3 Airport
As Director of Operations for F3 Airport, Rick ensures that our airports meet the F3 standards for management as well as client goals. He regularly meets with our Airport Directors to collaborate on strategy, monitor measures and goals, and act as a resource to overcome challenges.
Rick has a diverse background in the aviation industry and has developed a strong passion for it throughout his 35-year career. He began in the U.S. Air Force as an Aircraft Crew Chief and traveled the world on various war and peace time missions during his six years of active duty.
Next steps involved working his way up from Airfield Maintenance Technician at Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) to Director of Willow Run Airport (YIP), a 2,600-acre reliever airport to DTW, both managed by the Wayne County Airport Authority (WCAA). Throughout his 26 years at WCAA, Rick gained invaluable experience in all facets of airport management.
Expertise
- FAR Part 139 compliance
- Emergency response
- Security
- Project management
- Wildlife management
- Terminal management
- Tenant relations
- Air show coordination
- Training
Education
- B.S. in Aviation Management from Eastern Michigan University
Affiliations
- American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) Certified Member (CM)
- American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) Airport Certified Employee-Operations (ACE-Ops)
- Michigan Association of Airport Executives (MAAE) Member
- Chaired the WCAA Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Task Force
- Past Board Member of the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Chamber of Commerce