Ray Seif was recently named the new Kansas Department of Transportation Division of Aviation Director. His first day in the office was January 17th. Seif joins KDOT after serving as the Airport Manager of the Augusta, KS Municipal Airport.
Seif first became interested in aviation while attending Wichita Southeast High School. “I was in a transportation class and our instructor Douglas Jones took us to the airport. His friend took us up in an airplane. That was my first flight in a small aircraft. I loved it and was hooked,” said Seif, who later discovered that the flight was part of the EAA Young Eagle program.
Seif has hit the ground running, having recently met virtually with several other state aviation directors during a meeting of the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO). They offered to work with me and welcomed me to the group,” said Seif.
Seif said the Division has a very challenging year ahead. “We are currently working through grant applications for the Kansas Airport Improvement Program and we have several upcoming events,” he said. “I would also like to work with industry stakeholders to implement a statewide high school aviation education curriculum, although that may take some time. I would also like to be a valuable resource to airports, pilots, and aviation industry within the state, acting as a conduit in hopes of growing aviation, creating a workforce pipeline, and creating opportunities for our next generation.”
