Raleigh-Durham International Airport

Michael Landguth, A.A.E.

President and Chief Executive Officer

Michael Landguth serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority, where he is responsible for strategic planning, staffing, budgeting and overseeing the capital development program for Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU).

Landguth has nearly 30 years of experience in the aviation industry and has led RDU since 2011. Under his leadership, the airport has achieved unprecedented growth in air service by expanding from 37 destinations to 82, served record numbers of passengers and invested in transformative infrastructure projects that continue to shape RDU’s future.

Landguth was named CEO of the Year by the Triangle Business Journal in 2017 and has received the President’s Award from the North Carolina Airports Association. He was also recognized as the 2016 Airport Revenue News Medium Hub Airport Director of the Year. He has served on the Board of Directors for the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) and Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA). He currently serves on the U.S. Policy Council for ACI-NA and the Policy Review Committee for AAAE and has contributed to numerous community boards throughout his career.

Before joining RDU, Landguth served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Authority, where he also held the role of Director of Airport Operations. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and holds a commercial pilot’s license with single-engine and multi-engine land ratings. Landguth and his wife of more than 35 years have two daughters and three grandchildren.

William C. Sandifer, A.A.E.

Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer

Bill Sandifer oversees all aspects of the implementation of the Vision 2040 master plan, including facility planning and design, program management, construction and all environmental compliance and sustainability initiatives of the Authority. He brings over 38 years of comprehensive airport management and consulting experience to RDU. Prior to assuming the role as Chief Development Officer on April 1, 2023, he had served since 2014 as the Airport Authority’s first Chief Operating Officer. Prior to joining the Airport Authority, he was the Senior Vice President and National Aviation Director at Reynolds, Smith and Hills where he led a global airport consulting practice. 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.

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

Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

John Connell oversees maintenance, operations, emergency operations, police, fire-rescue, security and badging, traffic control and the communications center for the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority. Connell previously served as Senior Vice President of Operations and Asset Management at the Airport Authority and brings over 20 years of experience in civil and military aviation. Connell holds a bachelor’s degree in civil and environmental engineering from Clarkson University, a master’s in civil engineering from Clemson University and an MBA from the University of South Carolina. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas.

David Freedman, C.M.

Senior Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer

David Freedman is responsible for growing aeronautical and non-aeronautical revenue and developing air service at the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority. He oversees all aspects of commercial management at RDU, including properties, airline affairs, concessions, ground transportation, parking revenue, real estate, rental cars and advertising. Freedman previously served as Director of Strategic Planning and Business Development at the Hollywood Burbank Airport and brings private sector and financial expertise to his role at the Authority. Freedman earned a bachelor’s degree in public policy and a master’s degree in public administration from Syracuse University.

David Kruse

Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer

David Kruse is responsible for strategic planning, implementation, security and management of RDU’s technology infrastructure and digital initiatives for the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority. Kruse draws upon a career spanning more than three decades in information technology. He joined RDU in 2007 and has been instrumental in driving technological innovation and operational efficiency within the organization. Kruse received a bachelor’s degree in aviation from Ohio State University’s College of Engineering.

Erin Locklear

Senior Vice President and General Counsel

Erin Locklear has provided legal counsel and oversight for the Airport Authority since 2007. Her areas of practice include state and federal legal and regulatory compliance, land use, employment, airline and concessions agreements, public art, ground transportation, contracts and first amendment issues. She also manages the procurement, human resources, FAA civil rights, small business program, ADA and internal audit functions at the Airport Authority. Locklear holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and American studies from Princeton University, a Juris Doctor from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law and a Diversity & Inclusion Certificate from Cornell University. She serves on the UNC Law School Alumni Association Board, the NC Bar Association Board of Governors and co-chairs the NCBA Minorities in the Profession Committee.

Yovannie Rodriguez, Esq., A.A.E.

Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer

Yovannie Rodriguez is responsible for the vision and activities of the finance, project management, marketing, communications, government affairs and risk management functions for the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority. Prior to joining RDU, she served at Orlando International Airport as the Executive Vice Preside and Chief Administrative Officer, where she provided guidance and leadership on a wide variety of matters related to airport business and operations, including concessions, small business programs, records management, human resources and regulatory compliance. Her role included management of capital programs and strategic planning. Rodriguez was honored as one of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials’ 2024 “Women Who Move the Nation” and the 2025 “Women Who Means Business” from the Orlando Business Journal. She is an Accredited Airport Executive, holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Stetson University and a Juris Doctor from the Florida State University College of Law.

Donald Armstrong, SPHR, SHRM-SCP

Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer

Donald Armstrong is responsible for the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority’s human resources functions, including recruiting, compliance, payroll, benefits, talent management and the wellness program. He joined RDU’s Human Resources team in 2011 and previously held the role of Director of Human Resources. Armstrong earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from North Carolina A&T State University and a master’s degree in public administration from North Carolina Central University. He also holds certifications as a Senior Professional in Professional in Human Resources and a Senior Certified Professional.

Ronald Kapocius, CPA

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Ron Kapocius oversees accounting, financial controls, budgeting, treasury management and long-term fiscal planning to ensure the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority’s financial stability and support its strategic infrastructure initiatives. He joined the Airport Authority in 2015 and was named CFO in 2020. Kapocius has held senior financial leadership roles at NBC Universal, Dex One Corporation and Kforce Inc., where he guided large-scale financial operations, acquisitions and digital transformation initiatives across national markets. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Southern Illinois University, is a licensed Certified Public Accountant and is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the North Carolina Association of CPAs.

Kerry McComber

Vice President and Chief Communications Officer

Kerry McComber leads all communications, marketing and public relations efforts for the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority. She joined RDU in 2023 as Director of Community Affairs and brings more than 20 years of communications experience to the team. McComber previously held leadership roles in state and local government in North Carolina, and prior to her work in public service, she was a television news reporter in Iowa, Illinois and the Raleigh-Durham region. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Indiana University.