Michael A. Hodges, MAI
President and Chief Executive Officer

The President/CEO and Founder of Airport Business Solutions is Michael A. Hodges, MAI. Michael is responsible for ABS' Asheville headquarters and oversees all of the organization's operations, as well as being responsible for quality control and business development. 

Michael started in the commercial real estate industry in 1982. After completing a number of valuations and feasibility studies on aviation facilities between 1988 and 1995, he founded The Aviation Appraisal Group to concentrate solely on aviation valuation and consulting. The company name was later changed to Airport Business Solutions to better reflect the diversity of services offered to clients beyond traditional valuation services.

Michael’s real estate background is significant in that the unique combination of experience in both commercial real estate and aviation operations and management is essential in the completion of many projects. In addition, having analyzed and consulted for numerous non-aviation businesses prior to his exclusive focus on the aviation industry, Michael offers unique and fresh perspectives on creative ways of dealing with issues facing aviation businesses and airport management. As a result of the unique approach to problem-solving, he has worked on a variety of projects throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean. Thinking "outside the box" is one of the specialties of Michael and ABS.

Michael has been published and interviewed on numerous occasions in aviation publications worldwide on a variety of aviation issues. He is a regular speaker and contributor at aviation conferences throughout the United States, as well as internationally. Along with other ABS staff, Michael provides an annual two-day seminar for the American Association of Airport Executives entitled "Essentials of Airport Business Management Workshop." (This seminar/workshop was previously identified as the “Basics of Small Airport Management.”) 

Michael is one of most respected professionals in the industry, and strives to provide each and every client with the personal attention, comprehensive problem-solving, and attention to detail that they expect and deserve.