Chicago Rockford’s Executive Director Mike Dunn announces retirement

THE Greater Rockford Airport Authority (GRAA) has announced that Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) Executive Director Mike Dunn will retire at the end of the year after more than 12 years in the position.

The GRAA Board of Commissioners voted Thursday evening during a regularly scheduled meeting to appoint Zack Oakley, RFD’s current Deputy Director, as the new Executive Director effective 1st January 2024.

“It has been a great honour to serve the community through my work at the airport,” Dunn said. “When I first started, the growth potential at RFD was untapped and enormous. Now, it’s a top 15 cargo airport in the United States and an economic driver connecting the world’s supply chains while growing jobs right here in the region.”

“Mike Dunn’s service and work ethic is unmatched – and we as citizens are better because he advocated so tirelessly on behalf of the state, the community, and the airport,” said Paul Cicero, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners. “On behalf of the board, we thank him for his dedication to moving RFD forward. The airport board is looking forward to working with Zack Oakley in his position as Executive Director. The board has had a long and very positive relationship with Zack over the last six years”.

During Dunn’s tenure, the airport grew passenger services, providing destination travel to people throughout the region. Most notably, his career is highlighted by cargo expansion and growth over the past five years. In 2018, RFD was named the fastest-growing cargo airport in the world and is currently the 14th largest cargo airport in the United States.