Raleigh-Durham International Airport

Michael Landguth, A.A.E.

President and Chief Executive Officer

Michael Landguth is RDU’s President and Chief Executive Officer. With nearly 20 years of experience in the aviation industry, Landguth is responsible for overall staffing, budgeting, strategic planning and operations at RDU.

Prior to joining RDU, he served as chief executive officer and president of the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Authority after also holding the position of director of airport operations within the organization. Landguth holds both bachelor and master’s degrees in Aeronautical Sciences from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.

He was selected as the 2016 Airport Revenue News Medium HUB Airport Director of the Year, and serves on the board of directors for the Airports Council International – North America. He is also a board member for both the Raleigh and Durham Chambers of Commerce. In 2017, Landguth was named CEO of the Year by the Triangle Business Journal and is a North Carolina Airports Association President’s Award recipient.

John Connell, P.E., A.A.E.

Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

John Connell is the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. He oversees the airport’s maintenance, operations, police, fire-rescue, traffic control, communications center, and security/badging. He previously served as Senior Vice President of Operations and Asset Management at the Authority and brings over 15 years of experience in civil and military aviation. Connell holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Clarkson University, a Master of Business Administration from the University of South Carolina and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from Clemson University. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in North Carolina.

David Freedman, C.M.

Senior Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer

David Freedman is the Senior Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer. He is responsible for growing both aeronautical and non-aeronautical revenue while overseeing air service and all aspects of revenue generation including the airport’s business development, ground transportation, parking and properties departments.

He brings private sector and financial expertise and experience to the Airport Authority. Most recently David served as Director of Strategic Planning and Business Development at the Hollywood Burbank Airport.

Freedman earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Policy and a Masters in Public Administration from Syracuse University.

David Kruse

Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer

David Kruse is the Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer. He is responsible for strategic planning, implementation, security, and management of RDU’s technology infrastructure and digital initiatives. Drawing upon a career spanning over three decades in Information Technology, he joined RDU in 2007 and has been instrumental in driving technological innovation and operational efficiency within the organization. He received a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Degree from The Ohio State University’s College of Engineering.

Chuck McFall, A.A.E.

Executive Vice President and Chief Information, Strategy and Administration Officer

Chuck McFall is the Executive Vice President and Chief Information, Strategy and Administration Officer. Chuck oversees all Information Services/Technology, Finance, Communications, Government and Community Affairs, Risk Management and Safety activities and services for the Authority. He also provides leadership and visioning for all strategic and business planning initiatives.

Chuck brings over 25 years of senior leadership and information technology experience; he previously served the Tennessee Valley Authority in multiple senior leadership positions.

McFall has a Ph.D. in Business Administration from Columbia Southern University, an M.A. in Applied Organizational Behavior from Tusculum College, an Executive Certificate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is an Accredited Airport Executive.

William C. Sandifer, A.A.E.

Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer

Bill Sandifer is the Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer. He oversees all aspects of the implementation of Vision 2040 including facility planning and design, program management, construction as well as all environmental compliance and sustainability initiatives of the Authority. He brings over 36 years of comprehensive airport management and consulting experience to the Airport Authority. Prior to assuming the role as Chief Development Officer he served as the Authority’s first Chief Operating Officer since 2014. Prior to joining the Authority he was the Senior Vice President and National Aviation Director at Reynolds, Smith and Hills.  He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aviation Management from Eastern Michigan University, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor from Michigan State University. He is a licensed attorney in the State of Florida, an Accredited Airport Executive, and holds a commercial pilot license with instrument and flight instructor ratings.

Donald Armstrong, SPHR, SHRM-SCP

Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer

Donald Armstrong is the Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer and is responsible for the Airport Authority’s human resources functions including recruitment, compliance, payroll, benefits, wellness program and talent management. He joined RDU’s Human Resources team in 2011. Armstrong holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from North Carolina A&T State University, a master’s degree in public administration from North Carolina Central University and holds certifications as a Senior Professional in Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and a Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).

Ronald Kapocius, CPA

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Ron Kapocius is RDU’s Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. He is responsible for planning, organizing, implementing, and directing the fiscal control, business development, business management and administrative activities of the Airport Authority. He previously served as Director of Financial Planning and Controller for the Authority and has more than 25 years of financial leadership experience across multiple industries. Kapocius received a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Southern Illinois University in 1991. A licensed Certified Public Accountant, he is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the North Carolina Association of CPAs.

Crystal Lorbacher

Vice President of Communications, Government and Community Affairs

Crystal Lorbacher is RDU’s Vice President of Communications, Government and Community Affairs. She is responsible for leading airport communications, media relations, government affairs and community engagement. Lorbacher previously served in the public and private sectors in leadership roles that managed communications, public policy and crisis response. Lorbacher was raised in Durham, N.C. and earned her Bachelor of Arts in government from Georgetown University.

Erin Locklear

Senior Vice President and General Counsel

Erin Locklear is the Senior Vice President and General Counsel, with 15 years of experience providing legal oversight and coordination for a wide range of issues that affect the Airport Authority. She also oversees procurement, internal audit, and the Small Business Office.

Locklear earned an A.B. in Sociology from Princeton University. She also received a J.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law and a Diversity & Inclusion Certificate from Cornell University.