DOUGLAS E. KREULEN

Doug Kreulen is a decorated 27-year veteran of the United States Air Force. During his military career he served as a pilot, instructor, and evaluator in both rotary-wing and fixed wing aircraft, including multiple command assignments at the squadron, group, and wing level. He was awarded the Bronze Star for operations in Kosovo, the Legion of Merit, and the Defense Superior Service Medal for his service on the Joint Staff following events of 9/11. He also earned multiple Air Medals for combat and combat support missions in the Balkans and the Middle East.

Following his military career, Kreulen transitioned to commercial aviation, serving as Director of Operations for the Huntsville-Madison County Airport Authority. In 2012, he joined the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, where he was appointed President and CEO in December 2017, overseeing both Nashville International Airport (BNA®) and John C. Tune Airport (JWN).

Under his leadership, Kreulen led the BNA® team through one of the most transformative periods in its history. His execution of the BNA® Vision and New Horizon capital programs skillfully invested $4.5 billion to meet the unprecedented growth of Middle Tennessee. BNA® is now the 27th largest airport in the United States having doubled in size over the past decade. His team successfully rebuilt the southern portion of JWN following the devastating March 3, 2020, tornado, and has guided the northern expansion of JWN recently awarding a $60 million contract to build a second fixed-based-operation making JWN a preeminent general aviation airport in Tennessee.

Kreulen is an active leader in civic and industry organizations, serving on the American Association of Airport Executives Policy Review Council, Chairs the large hub committee for the Airports Council International - North America, and serves as President of the Tennessee Association of Air Carrier Airports. In 2019 the Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame recognized him as the “Tennessee Aviation Person of the Year’? In 2022, he received the “Award of Excellence” and “Airport of the Year” from the Tennessee Aeronautics Commission and he was recently honored as “Airport Director of the Year” by Airport Experience News.

Kreulen holds master’s degrees from the National War College and Troy University, and a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University.

In recognition of his exemplary leadership, service and contributions to Aviation in Tennessee, our Nation and the World, Douglas E. Kreulen is enshrined in the Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame on this 26th day of September, 2026.