Airport Authority Administration & Board Members

Tory Richardson, A.A.E., is the President & Chief Executive Officer for the Gerald R. Ford International Airport. He is responsible for leading a team of approximately 110 employees that plan, organize, direct, and control all functions and activities of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport – the second busiest airport in Michigan.

Tory joined the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority in September 2019, bringing with him more than two decades of aviation experience. He served as the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of the Columbus Regional Airport Authority for the past seven years. Prior to his time in Columbus, Tory served as the Executive Director of Airports for the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority in Indiana for more than eight years. He also had roles as Executive Director of Rapid City Regional Airport in Rapid City, South Dakota, and was an Airport Operations Officer at the Dubuque Regional Airport in Iowa.

Tory is the first past chair of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE). He has served on the AAAE policy review committee and is a past president of the Great Lakes Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives. He has also held leadership positions with the Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) and is also the past president of the Ohio Aviation Association. Tory earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Management from the University of Dubuque.

Alexander Peric, A.A.E., is the Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority. Charged with being the catalyst for the Authority’s growth in business development, economic development, non-aeronautical revenue and innovation, he is responsible for directing information technology, properties, engineering and planning, facilities, public safety and operations functions and serves as President & CEO in his absence.

Prior to assuming his current duties in November 2017, he was Vice President of Business Development and Properties for the Allegheny County Airport Authority in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was responsible for all business related matters for the airport system that includes Pittsburgh International Airport and Allegheny County Airport as well as management and development of 9,000 acres of land, 3.5 million square feet of commercial facilities, concessions, and innovative revenue strategies.

Alex’s diverse background within the aviation industry includes strategic roles in airline relations, business management, real estate, operations, project management, revenue development, negotiations, risk management, data analysis, etc., with Continental Airlines, City of Phoenix system of airports; including Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Phoenix Deer Valley Airport, and Phoenix Goodyear Airport. He also worked for the City of Cleveland system of airports, including Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and Burke Lakefront Airport.

Mr. Peric holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aviation Management, a minor in Management Information Systems and a Private Pilot License from Kent State University and a Master of Labor Relations & Human Resources degree from the College of Business at Cleveland State University. In 2018, Alex was awarded Corp! Magazine's Most Valuable Professional Award for the State of Michigan.
In 2013, he was selected as Airport Business Magazine’s Top 40 under 40 and is an Accredited Airport Executive with the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE). His current professional affiliations include: American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), Airports Council International - North America (ACI-NA), National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP), Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

Casey Ries, P. E., LEED AP, is the Engineering & Planning Director for the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority. He is responsible for engineering, planning, and environmental functions at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport. Primary responsibilities of this role include planning and administering the airport capital improvement program, airport sustainability, certification and permit compliance, and providing engineering guidance for airport facility maintenance.  He oversees various capital development programs which are each specifically identified to address future airport needs and opportunities.

Prior to assuming his current position in October 2017, Casey was the GFIAA Engineering Manager for three years, leading the engineering team comprising airport staff, consultants and contractors to execute airside and landside capital development projects.

Casey also has extensive experience in construction and airport project management, having worked on projects with Department of Defense, MDOT, FAA, and airport sponsors across Michigan. Casey has a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Michigan Technological University.  Casey is an FAA Licensed Private Pilot, a Licensed Professional Engineer, a Certified Industrial Storm Water Operator, and a LEED Accredited Professional. He has served as chair and panel member with the Airport Cooperative Research Program, a Peer Review group member with the Sustainable Aviation Guidance Alliance, is a member of the American Society of Professional Engineers, National Society of Professional Engineers, Chapter MATHCOUNTS Coordinator, and Vice President of the Grand Ledge Robotics Club. In 2013, he was selected as Engineer of the Year by the Capital Area Chapter of MSPE.

Lisa M. Carr, C.M., P.E.M., is the Public Safety & Operations Director for the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority. She is responsible for developing short and long range plans, policies, protocols and standard operating procedures to ensure the safe, secure and efficient operation of the airport. She ensures the airport is in compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and all other federal, state and local regulations governing airport operations.

Prior to assuming the current position in August 2015, Lisa was the Director of Operations for the Capital Region International Airport. In this position she was responsible for Security and Operations at the airport, overseeing Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations. She served as the Airport Security Coordinator and Trusted Agent in her relationship with TSA. She was also the airport Emergency Manager and worked with Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD) and was a liaison on the Region 1 Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (EMHSD) Board.

Lisa served the Capital Region International Airport in Lansing, Michigan in many capacities for 20 years. From 2003-2013 she was the Operations Manager, ensuring compliance with FAA and TSA regulations as well as emergency management; from 2002-2003, she served as an Operations Supervisor, overseeing the communications center and airfield operations; and from 1995-2002, she began her career as an Operations Officer, with responsibilities first in the communications center and then adding responsibilities for airfield operations.

Lisa holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University and an Associates of Arts degree from Kirkland Community College. She is a Certified Member with the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) and a Professional Emergency Manager with the Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD).

Professional affiliations include Airports Council International (ACI) as a member of the Public Safety & Security Committee, the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) and the Michigan Association of Airport Executives.