The Utah Department of Transportation has announced that Jared Esselman has been selected as the agency’s new Director of Aeronautics, replacing Patrick Morley who is retiring at the end of the month. Esselman, who most recently served as Director of State Government Affairs for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), holds a Master in Public Policy from Harvard University, a Bachelor of Science from the College of Charleston and an Associates in Aeronautical Logistics.
Esselman, who holds a Private Pilot and Remote Pilot Certificate, said he is excited about the opportunity and is looking forward to building strong relationships with the aviation community in Utah and working with fellow state aviation directors and the FAA in the Northwest Mountain Region.
Having served in the United States Air Force as a Loadmaster on C-17 aircraft, Esselman managed logistics for over 300 combat missions as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom as well as Presidential Escort Missions for George W. Bush. His career also includes an internship in the White House in the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and worked as a faculty assistant at Harvard University developing policy proposals for intra-state transportation.
Esselman has more than ten years of experience in state and local government affairs, advising governors, state legislators, county commissioners and mayors, most recently on aviation policy.
