The Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) has announced that Shane Wright has been named Aviation Director for the Iowa DOT’s Modal Transportation Bureau. He has been part of the Iowa DOT since 2015 and brings nearly 20 years of aviation experience that includes commercial airport management, Part 139 airport operations, fixed-base operations, and commercial pilot with instrument and multi-engine ratings. He is a graduate of the University of Dubuque Aviation Program and has a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater.
While at the Iowa DOT, Wright has coordinated the State Aviation Program and worked with the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program, airport capital improvement planning, airport land use and zoning, legislative activities, and statewide aviation system planning.
Wright assumed the role on May 18, 2026, replacing director Tim McClung, who announced his retirement after serving for 23 years with the Aviation Team.