Duane DuRay, C.M., Director of Operations, Marquette Sawyer Regional Airport

Duane was born in Appleton, WI, but grew up and was raised in the Upper Peninsula, on the West end of Ironwood, MI. Upon graduating from high school, he began his journey in the Aviation Industry by attending Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, OK and has been in the industry for over thirty years.

Duane worked for the airlines for a few years, traveling across several states with Great Lakes Airlines / United Express Airlines, setting up line service maintenance bases.

He left the airline and went to work as an operations staff member at the Gogebic/Iron County Airport in Ironwood, MI and worked through the ranks at the airport, ultimately being appointed Airport Manager in 2006 where he remained until 2012.

In 2012, Marquette County conducted a talent search for a new airport manager, and he was hired as the Manager. In early 2020 Duane was promoted to the Sawyer Director, supervising the Airport and the Water/ Wastewater Department.