John D. Kasarda is Director of the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise at the University of North Carolina's Kenan-Flagler Business School. He also heads up the Institute's Center for Air Commerce.  An advisor to airports around the world, Dr. Kasarda has published more than 100 articles and nine books on airport cities, logistics, and urban development.  He is frequently quoted in The Wall Street Journal, Business Week, and international media.

Dr. Kasarda received his B.S. and M.B.A. (with Distinction) from Cornell University and his Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina.  He has received grants from numerous international organizations and has been elected a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science for his research on airport-driven economic development.  He is considered the leading developer of the Aerotropolis concept defining the roles of aviation and airports in shaping 21^st century business location and economic growth.