Doug Kreulen, president and CEO of the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, has been named Director of the Year, Large Airports Division, by Airport Experience News. Kreulen is responsible for both Nashville International Airport (BNA) and John C. Tune Airport (JWN).
A U.S. Air Force veteran, Kreulen joined the Airport Authority in 2012 and was named president and CEO in December 2017. A centerpiece of his impact on BNA to date is the completion in February 2024 of BNA Vision, a $1.5-billion expansion project that included the Grand Lobby renovation, a new International Arrivals Facility, concourse expansion, an on-airport hotel and multiple other projects. While that project was still in the works, BNA embarked on a second expansion plan, BNA New Horizon, in 2022.
“Under Doug Kreulen’s leadership Nashville International Airport has been transformed in recent years with inviting concessions and amenities that evoke a true sense of place,” said Melissa K. Montes, vice president and publisher of Airport Experience News. “Doug’s management skills throughout an unpredictable period for development and his vision for the airport’s further expansion and growth made him an easy choice for Director of the Year.”
Kreulen, who began his airport career at the Huntsville – Madison County Airport Authority as director of operations, gave credit to his team for the extraordinary evolution underway at BNA.
“It is difficult to fully convey how honored I am to be recognized alongside such a distinguished group of aviation leaders,” said Kreulen. “The success we’ve achieved at BNA is a direct reflection of the unwavering dedication, hard work and exceptional service demonstrated by our entire airport team every day. I am both humbled by this recognition and profoundly grateful to my colleagues who deemed me worthy of this distinction. Thank you.”
Kreulen is the third of three directors of the year to be named by AXN for 2024. Last week, AXN announced the selection of Jesus Saenz, director of airports for the city of San Antonio, as its Director of the Year, Medium Airports Division. Prior to that, AXN announced that Kelly Campbell, executive director of aviation at Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport (LBB), was named Director of the Year, Small Airports Division. The three directors will be featured in a special Leadership Issue of Airport Experience News and will be honored at the 2025 Airport Experience Conference.
