James Smith

James Smith was the former director of RCBI aerospace at the Robert C Byrd Institute, part of the Marshall University Research Corporation, and was the lead in developing the Marshall part 147 program, writing all the FAA materials, overseeing certification, construction, staffing, and grant development. Smith has a professional background in aviation planning, regulatory compliance, and airport management and operations. Before coming to Marshall University, Smith served as the deputy director of Huntington Tristate Airport, airport operations specialist at Lexington Bluegrass airport, and as an airport planner for the aviation engineering division AECOM. He holds a bachelor’s degree in aviation business management from Utah Valley University, multiple industry certifications in operations and SMS, and is currently in the aviation safety master’s program at the University of Central Missouri.