2020 Airport Business Top 40 Under 40: Adam Bouchard, CM

Adam Bouchard’s aviation career started in 2007 when he was 19, loading bags and cleaning planes for American Airlines in Nashville, Tennessee. His eight-year career with American took Bouchard to Los Angeles and Chicago, and, he said, gave him, “a lot of neat opportunities I never thought I’d get to have in a short period of time.” 

Come 2015, Bouchard moved from airlines to airports, starting work with Tampa International Airport (TPA), where he has been ever since.

“I jumped to the airport side in 2015 and have never looked back,” Bouchard said.

As the TPA’s Director of Airport Operations, Bouchard is responsible for airfield and terminal operations, airport operations center, ground transportation, security compliance, emergency management and resilience, and aircraft rescue and firefighting.

Over his tenure, Bouchard developed and implemented numerous operational plans that facilitated the successful completion of TPA’s Master Plan Phase I – a $1 billion improvement to the airport.

During a period of heavy construction, Bouchard became an expert on noise abatement and a trusted face of the airport authority for TPA’s local communities. Launching a “Noise 101” educational program, his efforts more than tripled community engagement and Bouchard continues to lead a transparent, effective and compliant noise program.

Bouchard has also become a leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and integrating them with the airport environment. He led the development and implementation of UAS detection, identification and mitigation protocols for TPA, as well as having written on the topic for Aerospace Defense Review magazine, promoting the importance of technology and deterrence on UAS around airports. His work in the field saw him receive an invitation to speak at the UK’s Home Office and EASA’s Regulatory Division on UAS detection, identification and mitigation.

For Bouchard, though, his favorite part of the job is working with and leading his team through the various projects they undertake.

“For me, the most gratifying part of my job is being able to not only see our team accomplish the amazing things that we do, but to see our team grow into new and better roles whether here or outside of the organization,” Bouchard said. “When I get to see people grow professionally, I know that we succeeded in our mission to serve them.”

In July, TPA was the recipient of the FAA’s Airport Safety Mark of Distinction Award for their efforts and focus on airfield safety and compliance.

“It was a wonderful recognition for our Operations team to receive,” he said.