Expert

Thomas J Frakes, P.E.

Manager. Central Region Runway Safety Program

Federal Aviation Administration

Tom Frakes is the Manager of the FAA Central Region Runway Safety Program. Tom has 30 years of FAA experience after graduating from the Univ. of Iowa in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. 

Starting his career in Technical Operations, Tom worked as a Lead Engineer and Program Manager on numerous projects primarily involving the design and construction of Airport Traffic Control Towers, TRACONs, and air navigation facilities. He was the lead engineer on the St. Louis Airport Traffic Control Tower and was the Program Manager for numerous navaids and terminal projects such as the Gateway TRACON, Las Vegas ATCT, and STARS radar automation projects.

Tom has been the Central Region Runway Safety Program Manager (RSPM) since August 2007.  The RSPMs work with all FAA lines of business and industry stakeholders to reduce surface risk in the National Airspace System.