Originally published in 1993
David S. Fulton joined TxDOT this June from the Tennessee Department of Transportation where he worked for sixteen years with the Tennessee Office of Aeronautics, serving as agency director for ten years. Senior level management responsibilities there included aviation promotion, development, and regulation for state and annual budget preparation and allocation of $25 million state and federal funds for facility development and maintenance of Tennessee’s airports. Dave managed a state-owned airport and held approval authority for the planning, site selection, design, and construction of the state’s publicly owned airports. He was the State of Tennessee’s representative to the U.S. Department of Transportation for air transportation matters and was Director of the Tennessee Flight Department. Prior to his appointment as agency director in 1981, Dave was assigned increasingly responsible positions with aviation agency as Director of Development and Operations and Assistant Chief Engineer.
For over eleven years Dave was a naval officer with pilot designation; he was captain of a 17-person crew in the military version of the Lockheed Electra; and was assigned a variety of duties including administrative officer, personnel officer and operations officer for a 360-member squadron. He has been a naval flight instructor and a squadron standardization officer.
Dave’s many accomplishments include establishing the Tennessee “Transportation Equity Fund,” an effort which resulted in a 400% increase in state funds for air transportation development by creating a user fund from sales tax revenues on aviation fuel. He implemented a statewide program to improve public facilities at Tennessee community airports through the construction of modern terminal buildings; initiated a statewide program to investigate underground storage tanks and hazardous runoff at Tennessee airports; and implemented a program to ensure compliance with EPA regulations. He also led a successful effort to establish a strong aviation coalition among aviation interests in Tennessee.
As can be seen from the qualifications listed here, Dave Fulton brings extensive knowledge of the field of aviation to his new position as TxDOT Director of Aviation. He is well versed in state and federal legislative processes, having testified frequently before state and congressional committees on aviation issues. He is a past president (1986) of the National Association of State Aviation Officials.
Dave graduated from Vanderbilt University (1958) with a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering. He received an MBA from the University of Tennessee in 1979 and holds a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the Nashville School of Law (1985). He is licensed to practice law in the State of Tennessee and before the federal courts. He is a captain in the U.S. Naval Reserve and holds an Airline Trasport Pilot Rating.
Dave Fulton’s thorough knowledge of airport development, operations, planning principles, and FAA regulations, as well as his management background in state aviation systems, will be a tremendous asset to the Division of Aviation.