Keith Brune, Chief Operating Officer at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), has been re-elected for another three-year term as a Director on the Board of the Aviation Council of Pennsylvania (ACP). Brune, who has served on the ACP Board since 2011, will remain there until 2023 at which time he will again come up for re-election.
The Aviation Council of Pennsylvania is a non-profit trade association consisting of airports, fixed-base operators, flight schools, business aircraft operators, aerospace manufacturers and suppliers, air charter operators, and other aviation organizations and suppliers whose aim is to improve and promote the aviation industry throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Its purpose, according to the group, is to represent the Pennsylvania aviation industry in matters involving government and private sector interests; to improve and promote aviation in partnership with local, state, and federal government; and to increase and enhance public awareness of aviation.
Brune (shown above at PHL's 2019 Veterans Day ceremony) is one of 13 Directors on the Board, among whose members are smaller airports in the state as well as the Allegheny County Port Authority which manages Pittsburgh International Airport. Brune serves on the Board’s important Legislative Committee, which monitors legislation related to aviation and proposes legislative changes that benefit the industry.
“Working on legislative matters, with the assistance of Shane Doud (PHL Government Affairs Manager), is a very important part of this position,” Brune said. “The most satisfying is the interaction with aviation professionals from around the Commonwealth from very different size facilities and parts of the industry. Being in a position to look at the industry as a whole and affect positive change is gratifying, whether directly related to PHL or PNE (Northeast Philadelphia Airport) or other segments of the industry.”
Among the legislative committee’s focus areas are working with the Pennsylvania Drone Association to develop seminars and outreach to communities to ensure operators are following safety protocols; working with the state legislature to facilitate small hangar construction; and addressing the impending pilot and mechanic shortage by reaching out to various programs including the PA Aviation Scholarship Fund to get young people interested in aviation.
Brune noted that REAL ID is “a huge issue” the group is pushing with PennDOT and the legislature. Beginning October 1, 2021, every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, state-issued enhanced driver’s license or another acceptable form of ID (see https://www.tsa.gov/real-id) to fly within the United States.
“The Aviation Council of Pennsylvania is a strong advocate for the aviation community, and the work that Keith and his colleagues on the legislative committee perform in addressing key issues in a variety of areas is invaluable,” said PHL CEO Chellie Cameron. “I know firsthand how dedicated Keith is to our industry, and I wish him continued success as a Director on the ACP Board.”
Brune, who was appointed COO in 2017, arrived at PHL in 1991 after a 10-year career in the U.S. Air Force. Starting out as an Airport Operations Officer, he has risen through the ranks at PHL holding a number of positions including Airport Operations Superintendent, Airport Operations Manager and Deputy Director of Aviation Operations and Facilities. He holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Aeronautical Science degrees from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and is an Accredited Airport Executive.
In addition to the Aviation Council of Pennsylvania, Brune is a member of the Board of Directors for the Delaware County (PA) Transportation Management Association. He was appointed to and currently serves on the Governor’s Aviation Advisory Committee and a member of several committees for both American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) and Airports Council International (ACI).
