Ryan Byford
Officials with the City of Collegedale selected Ryan Byford as interim director of the Collegedale Municipal Airport. He replaces Chris Swain, who retired in July after 16 years of service.
Born and raised in the Greater Chattanooga area, Mr. Byford developed his passion for aviation at a young age. After expressing enthusiasm to watch airplanes when he was a child, his parents would take him to the Collegedale Municipal Airport for their annual open house and various community events throughout the years.
It was during this time when Mr. Byford ‘caught the bug’ and loved being at the airport and around airplanes.
At the age of sixteen, Mr. Byford began pursuing his dream of becoming a pilot. He ultimately earned his pilot certificate a year later and continues to be actively involved in aviation.
Mr. Byford graduated with a bachelor of science in business administration from Southern Adventist University in 2020 and began working for the City of Collegedale shortly after, where he performed clerical duties at the Collegedale Municipal Airport.
“It is really an honor to provide leadership to a place that I love and have been a part of since I was a child,” said Mr. Byford. “The airport has a bright future and I’m excited to be a part of it.”