2025 Airport Business Top 40 Under 40: Ray Ryan, PE, ENV SP

• Hometown: Kansas City, MO
• Alma Mater: University of Arkansas
• What’s one airport that inspires you? ORD

Ray Ryan has built a career defined by technical excellence, strategic vision, and a passion for people. As Senior Business Development Manager within the aviation group at Burns & McDonnell, he brings nearly two decades of experience shaping infrastructure at more than 50 airports worldwide. His path into the industry began humbly as a gate and ramp agent at Northwest Airlines, where he discovered the energy of aviation. That early exposure grew into a career in engineering and project management, leading complex programs across the U.S. and abroad.

Ryan’s portfolio reflects both range and impact. He has managed multimillion-dollar airfield rehabilitation projects, delivered passenger-focused spaces like United’s Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles, and helped plan terminal expansions at hubs including JFK, O’Hare, and LAX. At Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, he led a team of 20 professionals through the $1 billion S Concourse Evolution program, one of the region’s most significant infrastructure investments. Alongside project delivery, he has championed sustainability, embedding Envision practices into design and construction while mentoring younger engineers to do the same.

For Ryan, success is measured not just in projects, but in people. “The most rewarding part of my career is seeing others grow,” he says. “If I can leave behind strong teams and future leaders, then I’ve done my job.” His leadership is marked by collaboration, humility, and a clear sense of purpose, making him a trusted advisor to clients and a respected mentor within the aviation community.