Published in Midwest Flyer – February/March 2018 issue
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, MINN. – Long-time Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) employee, Roy Fuhrmann, has been selected as the organization’s new chief operating officer, overseeing everything from airport planning and facility improvements, to the operation and maintenance of all seven MAC airports, including Minneapolis-St. Paul International.
“Roy Fuhrmann’s background and experience make him uniquely suited to the position,” said MAC Chief Executive Officer Brian Ryks. “He is a talented, consistent leader who has earned a strong reputation, both within the Metropolitan Airports Commission and in the airport industry, as an innovative, knowledgeable professional who doesn’t just follow best practices, he develops them.”
As chief operating officer, Fuhrman oversees both the management and operations, and planning and development divisions. In that role, he has oversight over several departments responsible for airport planning, construction and operations, as well as the airport police and fire departments.
“I am extremely honored and humbled to be selected by Mr. Ryks to serve the MAC in this important role,” Fuhrmann said. “The MAC is immersed in a comprehensive modernization of Terminal 1-Lindbergh, and expanding parking and other facilities. Additionally, we continue to look at operational changes to increase safety and security for our passengers. I look forward to working with our great staff, and our airline and federal partners, to improve the passenger experience at MSP, as well as explore ways to improve our reliever airport system.”
Fuhrmann first became involved with the MAC as a noise intern technician in 1991. He became a permanent MAC employee in 1994, as an aviation noise/geographic systems specialist. In 1996, he moved to the reliever airports department as assistant manager of tenant relationships, and was also responsible for Crystal Airport’s day-to-day operations. Fuhrmann later rejoined the environment department as manager of aviation noise and satellite programs before becoming director of that department in August 2001. Since 2012, he has served as vice president of management and operations, overseeing the operations of all seven MAC airports, as well as the airport police and fire departments.
In addition to his lengthy service to the MAC, Fuhrmann served more than 20 years as an Army National Guard aviation officer, with deployments to Guatemala, Bosnia and Iraq. Over the course of his service, he commanded three aviation units before retiring from military service in 2009.
Fuhrmann holds a bachelor’s degree in public administration from the University of North Dakota. He serves on the Unmanned Aerial Systems Committee of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), and is co-chair of the NextGen Working Group within the Operations and Technical Affairs Committee of Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA). Fuhrmann is a member of the national NextGen Advisory Committee Sub-Committee (NASCSC), past chair of ACI-NA’s Environmental Affairs Committee, and a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). Fuhrmann is a commercial, instrument-rated pilot; flies both helicopters and airplanes; and resides in Webster, Minnesota with his wife Kim.
