As director of the San Diego Airport Authority’s Inter-Governmental Relations Department, 39-year-old Michael Kulis has been guiding the authority through its long, highly visible and political airport site selection process, a facet of the authority’s mission to address the region’s future air transportation needs in addition to operating San Diego International Airport. He directed the Authority’s intergovernmental relations through the successful consideration of SB10, state legislation reforming the Airport Authority’s governance structure and responsibilities.

These are not the only delicate political processes which have involved Kulis. As a legislative assistant to Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), he was instrumental in convincing President Clinton to declare all counties in Pennsylvania eligible to receive federal disaster assistance for flood damage in 1995. A former deputy chief of staff for San Diego County Supervisor Dianne Jacob, he also is credited with development of the concept for AB 265, state legislation limiting the price of electricity in the San Diego region.

A graduate of Villanova University, Kulis is a member of the American Association of Airport Executives and serves on the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce’s infrastructure and legislative committees.