Thought Leaders
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Thought Leaders

John D. Kasarda

John D. Kasarda, Ph.D.

Director, Center for Air Commerce
919.962.8201 |

Areas of Expertise:

Airline industry/airports • Demography • Economics/economic trends • Entrepreneurship • Logistics • Real estate • Supply chain management • Transportation and trade • Urban issues

John D. Kasarda is the Kenan Distinguished Professor of Management at UNC-Chapel Hill's Kenan-Flagler Business School  and director of the Kenan Institute's Center for Air Commerce. He is the leading developer of the "aerotropolis" concept, which positions airports as 21st-century drivers of business location and urban economic growth.

An expert on aviation infrastructure, logistics, demographics, urban development, and commercial real estate issues, Kasarda served as a consultant to the Carter, Reagan, Bush, and Clinton administrations and has testified numerous times before U.S. Congressional committees on urban and economic development. He was elected a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science for his research on demographics and job creation and is a senior fellow of the Urban Land Institute.

Kasarda has published more than one hundred scholarly articles and nine books on aviation, economic development, and business issues. He is frequently quoted in The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and other national and international media. Kasarda received a bachelor's degree and M.B.A. (with distinction) from Cornell University and a Ph.D. from UNC-Chapel Hill.

Meet Jack

Jack Kasarda not only coined the term "aerotropolis," he was one of the first to recognize the importance of airport design for business competitiveness and urban development. His work has redefined the role of airports for commerce, industry and urban growth.

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