Brian Ryks

Brian D. Ryks, A.A.E., was named executive director and CEO of the Metropolitan Airports Commission in May 2016. He is responsible for the administration and management of one of the nation’s largest airport systems, including Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) and six general aviation airports.

MSP is the 18th busiest airport in the United States, and the MAC’s system of airports supported more than 714,000 aircraft operations in 2024. From 2016 through 2024, Ryks has overseen more than $3 billion in MAC airport improvement projects, including a multiyear expansion and modernization of MSP’s Terminal 1, a new 5,000-space parking and ground transportation facility, and new runways at Crystal and Lake Elmo airports to enhance safety and support the growth in general aviation flight activity. 

Coupled with a revamped, award-winning concessions program and an intense focus on the customer experience, the improvements have contributed to Airports Council International naming MSP the Best Airport in North America in its size category for seven out of nine years. MSP was recognized by aviation analytics firm Cirium in 2023 for on-time performance. In 2024, MSP was named the No. 1 U.S. airport by Travel + Leisure and ranked No. 1 in customer satisfaction among mega airports in the J.D. Power 2024 North America Airport Satisfaction study, reclaiming the industry honor it first won in 2022.  

Before arriving in Minneapolis, Ryks was executive director and CEO of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, Michigan. While there, Ryks oversaw major airport improvements, a rebranding campaign, and a governance transition from county control to an airport authority. Ryks also led an innovative funding campaign to raise $20 million in private capital in support of a $45 million terminal expansion.  

During Ryks’ tenure, the Gerald R. Ford International Airport set all-time records for passengers in 2014 and 2015 and was rated as the No. 1 airport in North America in its size category by Airports Council International in 2015. 

Prior to his time in Michigan, Ryks was the executive director of the Duluth Airport Authority, overseeing Duluth International and Sky Harbor airports in Minnesota. During his 10 years in Duluth, Ryks oversaw the completion of $135 million in airport improvements, culminating with a $77 million project to develop a new terminal.

Before arriving in Duluth, Ryks was employed for five years as the airport manager at the St. Cloud Regional Airport and for two years as the airport manager in Aberdeen, South Dakota. He also spent six years in Denver, where he was the manager of noise abatement at Stapleton and Denver International airports.

He began his career as a noise technician at the Metropolitan Airports Commission in 1986.

Ryks holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Cloud State University, is a licensed pilot with an instrument rating, and is an Accredited Airport Executive with the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE). Ryks is also a member of the Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) World Governing Board, a past member of the ACI-NA U.S. Policy Council, a past member of ACI-NA’s Board of Directors, and a past chair of the ACI-NA Large Hub Airports Committee. In addition, Ryks is a former board member of AAAE and its Policy Review Committee. He holds a professional affiliation with the Great Lakes Chapter of AAAE (GL-AAAE) and is past president of the GL-AAAE.

On the community front, Ryks is a board member of Meet Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Area Chamber of Commerce. He is also on the Executive Committee of the Center for Transportation Studies at the University of Minnesota.

Ryks was named to the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal’s Most Admired CEO list in 2024 for his professional and civic leadership. In 2023, ACI-NA presented Ryks with the Excellence in Visionary Leadership Award for his career contributions in managing airports; it’s the highest honor given by the trade association to an active airport CEO/director. Other awards and honors for Ryks include being named the 2015 Newsmaker of the Year in Economic Development by the Grand Rapids Business Journal, a 2012 Minnesota Council of Airports Distinguished Service Award, a 2009 Minnesota Council of Airports Award of Excellence for Outstanding Promotion of Aviation, a Patriot Award from the National Guard and Reserve in 2008, and a TSA Partnership Award in 2006.