Louisville Regional Airport Authority Executive Director Dan Mann recently announced the promotion of Megan Atkins Thoben, A.A.E. to Vice President of Operations and Customer Engagement. In this role, Thoben will champion the Airport Authority – including both Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) and Bowman Field (LOU) – with programs and best-in-class practices that showcase the organization’s innovative approach within the industry and community. With a focus on continuing to highlight SDF’s success stories, she will lead the airport’s Operations and Terminal Operations Departments, ensuring compliance with all federal, state and local regulations, and serve as a link with key airport tenants and stakeholders.
“Megan’s passion for all-things aviation is evident and will serve her well in this new role,” added Mann. “She has done a remarkable job transforming SDF’s first, full-time Operations Department all while providing guidance and leadership for our SDF Next Program that will better nearly all aspects of the terminal, making us a best-in-class facility. Her knowledge and energy for our airports and community make her the ideal addition to the Airport Authority’s Executive Leadership Team.”
Since joining the Airport Authority in 2018, Thoben has served as its Director of Operations and Business Development. In this role, she developed and transformed the Operations Department into its current full-time state complete with 24/7 staffing with a strong focus on customer response initiatives. Under her direction, the Operations Department also holds compliance oversight for SDF’s Part 139 status as well as the Credentialing Office, Airport Security Program (ASP) and training programs for the Security Identification Display Area (SIDA) and the Sterile Area. Thoben is also involved with the terminal improvements as part of the SDF Next Program that will invest more than $400 million at the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in the coming years. This includes numerous projects such as construction of the new Rental Car Facility, a new Airport Operations and Command Center, an expansion of the SDF security checkpoint, installation of new passenger boarding bridges as well as various exterior enhancements and mechanical upgrades.
Thoben was named by Louisville Business First to its Forty Under 40 list in 2021, followed with recognition by Today’s Women Magazine as its Most Admired Young Executive in 2022. She serves on numerous boards including the Kentucky Derby Festival, Kentuckians for Better Transportation (KBT), the Southeast Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) and her high school alma mater, Mercy Academy.
Before joining the Airport Authority, Thoben served as Operation Manager at Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) in Columbia, SC and as Operations Supervisor as well as Operations Specialist I and II at Blue Grass Airport (LEX) in Lexington, KY.
Thoben earned a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management from Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, KY. She is an Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) through AAAE and is a Private Pilot Certificate holder.
