Victor Bird
Director of the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission

Victor Bird has been the Director of the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission since December 2002. The Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission's mission is to promote aviation, which includes fostering the growth of the aerospace industry and ensuring that the needs of commerce and communities across Oklahoma are met by the 114 public airports that comprise the state’s air transportation system.

Bird’s emphases are promoting the aerospace industry, one of the state’s largest industries and top employers; critical planning and development for the state’s air transportation system; making as many of the state’s 49 regional business airports jet-capable as possible; and encouraging public-private partnerships to promote the aerospace industry.

Under his leadership, the Commission has partnered with the Federal Aviation Administration to improve the state’s airport planning process, becoming a model for other states around the country. For its efforts, the FAA in 2005 presented the Commission with an award recognizing the agency for its “outstanding contribution to the enhancement of aviation in Oklahoma.” Bird was also a driving force behind the formation of Governor Brad Henry’s Aerospace Task Force in 2004, which resulted in several recommendations to foster the growth of the industry. In 2006, he received the “Distinguished Service Award” from the Oklahoma Association for Career and Technical Education for meritorious contributions to the improvement, promotion, development and progress of career and technology education in Oklahoma. During the Oklahoma Aerospace Summit & Expo in June 2009, he received the General Thomas P. Stafford Award for his contributions in promoting and fostering the growth of Oklahoma's aerospace industry throughout his tenure as director of aeronautics. The award is named in honor of former NASA astronaut and Oklahoma native Tom Stafford.

Bird was the driving force in getting several bills passed by the Oklahoma Legislature to help ensure the viability and growth of the state’s aerospace industry. The most noteworthy was House Bill 3239, also known as the Aerospace Industry Engineer Work Force Bill. Because of this landmark legislation, new engineers can now receive state tax credits for up to five years for choosing to work for an Oklahoma aerospace company. The hiring companies also receive tax credits for hiring those engineers. This was the only work force legislation passed in 2008, and it is the only legislation of this nature currently in the U.S. In 2004 Bird played a key role in the passage of House Bill 1577, which essentially exempted all Oklahoma aerospace companies from collecting sales taxes from all transactions associated with the maintenance, repair and overhaul of aircraft. Before the bill’s passage, only larger companies enjoyed the exemption.

In addition to HB 3239 and HB 1577, Bird led the push to get HB 3098, the Aerospace Development Act of 2008, passed by state lawmakers and signed into law. This measure transferred two key aerospace programs to the Aeronautics Commission: the Center for Aerospace Supplier Quality and the Oklahoma Aerospace Institute. Both programs are critical in the state’s efforts to create more aerospace-related jobs and provide a credentialed work force for Oklahoma’s aerospace industry. He also convinced legislators to pass HB 2501 which amended the Aircraft Dealers Protection Act. HB 2501 removed barriers to aviation manufacturers entering into dealership and service center agreements with Oklahoma aviation businesses.

In 2009 Bird was named the recipient of the 2009 Gen. Thomas P. Stafford Award during the Oklahoma Aerospace Summit and Expo. The award is named after Oklahoma native and retired astronaut Gen. Tom Stafford, and is presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the Oklahoma aerospace industry and who honors the pioneering spirit shown by Gen. Stafford.

Before his appointment to the Aeronautics Commission, Bird was an attorney and veteran of state government. He served five years as an attorney with the Oklahoma State University Board of Regents and spent 12 years in the Attorney General’s office, ending his tenure as chief of the Civil Division.

Bird currently serves as chairman for the National Association of State Aviation Officials. He is an active member of the Governor’s Council for Workforce and Economic Development and the aviation advisory boards for both Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma. He was recently appointed to the Finance Working Group that has been given the task of creating a development strategy for Oklahoma City’s Will Rogers World Airport.

Bird earned his juris doctorate and bachelor’s degree from The University of Tulsa.

He and his wife, Kay, have been married for nine years and have two children.

Airports and Industry presentation (AIRVANGELISM) by Director, Victor Bird