Bryan Bedford, President and CEO, Republic Airways, USA

Bryan Bedford has more than 30 years of experience in the airline industry. He joined Republic in July 1999 as president and CEO. Previously, he served as president and CEO of Mesaba Holdings in Minneapolis, as well as Business Express Airlines in Boston. During his years at the helm of Republic, the airline has grown from $85 million in revenues and 36 turboprop aircraft to more than $1.3 billion in revenues and an operating fleet of more than 200 E-Jet aircraft.

In 1997 and 2004, Regional Airline World named Bedford Airline Executive of the Year. In 2009, he received the same honour from Airline Business. In 1998, the Minneapolis Business Journal named him to its 40 under 40 list, and in 2000 the Indianapolis Business Journal named him to their 40 under 40 list. Bedford earned his Bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from Florida State University and is a certified public accountant. He holds commercial, multi-engine and instrument pilot ratings.