An alumnus and seasoned aviation business executive, Joe Gibney stepped into the role of dean of Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University’s David B. O’Maley College of Business in early March with a clear mandate — strengthen the college’s industry relevance, expand opportunities for students and position the college as the premier destination for aviation and aerospace business education.

The 30-year industry veteran is wasting no time turning that vision into action.

After only two months in his office overlooking the busy student walkway at the center of Embry‑Riddle’s Daytona Beach Campus, Gibney is setting his sights on providing those same students with opportunities in experiential learning and industry integration. And he is laser-focused on preparing graduates from each of the campus’s four colleges for the rapidly evolving business of aviation, aerospace and space commerce, among other disciplines, building a nationally elite college of business for aviation and aerospace.

A Workforce‑Driven Agenda and Strategy

As a leader who has not only led a host of complex businesses but also personally experienced the ebbs and flows of a business economy impacted by a variety of external factors, it’s not surprising that Gibney’s priorities would mirror the opportunities and challenges of a global aviation and aerospace sector undergoing rapid transformation.

“The industry has gone through unprecedented change over the past decade,” explained Gibney. “With the emergence of electric vehicles and aircraft, advancements in artificial intelligence, ongoing cybersecurity challenges, and the need to build an early-career talent pipeline to address an aging workforce, we must ensure students are prepared for the jobs they’ll enter rather than the ones that existed five or ten years ago.

“That means hands‑on and experiential learning, real problem‑solving and opportunities to build, pitch and launch ideas for students in all disciplines,” he continued, stressing that entrepreneurship and business savviness extend beyond College of Business majors and are powerful tools for all students.

These areas are reflected in Gibney’s strategic plan, which he plans on advancing in partnership with his fellow deans in the College of Aviation; College of Engineering; and College of Arts and Sciences. These include:

  • Embedding experiential learning through internships, co‑ops and capstone projects tied to real industry challenges as a core component of the curriculum, ensuring students graduate with meaningful hands-on experience.
  • Implementing METAL — Markets, Energy Trading and Aerospace Laboratory — a flagship experiential learning facility featuring Bloomberg terminals, live market data, and industry-grade tools for students to analyze airlines, gain energy and commodities exposure, evaluate aerospace companies, and develop real world decision-making skills at the intersection of aviation, finance, and global markets.
  • Providing students with the opportunity to achieve industry and technical certifications, signaling real-world capabilities to future employers.
  • Embedding international experience into the David B. O’Maley College of Business curriculum, broadening perspectives and helping to create globally minded connections and a sense of culture and community across the College.
  • Integrating the requirement for every O’Maley College of Business student to think like entrepreneurs — developing and pitching business concepts focused on the aviation and aerospace industry.
  • Strengthening partnerships with the university’s Center for Career and Professional Development, Embry‑Riddle’s Research Park and regional employers to create well-defined career pathways.
  • Continuing business-related collaboration across the Daytona Beach, Prescott and Worldwide campuses to leverage Embry‑Riddle’s global network.
  • Positioning the college as a leader in the business of space exploration and advanced air mobility (AAM) — two sectors poised for exponential growth in the coming years.
  • Engaging Volusia County’s business community to support local talent development and expand opportunities for residents.

As he advances the strategy for the O’Maley College of Business, Gibney is keeping top-of-mind one of the University’s primary priorities: to align Embry‑Riddle’s educational offerings with aviation and aerospace business needs. “Embry‑Riddle holds a unique position in aviation and aerospace business,” Gibney said. “As the U.S. space economy grows and new research and technologies transform the way we think about transportation, our students will be at the forefront.”

Elevating Innovation Through the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship

An example of just one area central to Gibney’s strategy is rebuilding, reinventing and expanding the impact of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), housed within the O’Maley College of Business.

The center — which has become an incubator for student‑driven ventures in aviation, aerospace, space technologies and other emerging industries — provides students, faculty and staff with a robust ecosystem of resources, expert mentorship, hands-on training, funding opportunities, networking events and state-of-the-art facilities that support taking entrepreneurial ideas and creative ventures beyond the classroom and into the industry and marketplace.  At the recent Volusia Innovation Challenge, four start-ups supported by the center earned cash prizes, including a $5,000 second place finish for toolbox inventory system, Tracker.

Gibney views CIE as a cornerstone of the college’s future and a central part of the agenda for the O’Maley College of Business. “Innovation is a skillset,” he said. “Students need to learn how to identify a problem, build a solution and pitch it. That’s what employers want, and that’s what the future of aviation and aerospace will demand.”

A Leader Focused on Collaboration and Community Impact

Gibney’s approach is rooted in his industry background, which includes a senior advisor role at private equity firm Ridgewood Infrastructure and executive leadership roles at TAC Air, as well as board service with the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) and the British Business and General Aviation Association (BBGA). His experience guiding large teams and driving organizational transformation informs his vision for the college.

Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost Kelly Austin, Ph.D., said Gibney’s early momentum is already making an impact. “Joe brings an enthusiastic and forward‑looking mindset that aligns with Embry‑Riddle’s mission and strategic goals,” Austin said. “His focus on innovation, workforce readiness and industry partnership strengthens the O’Maley College of Business and supports our global leadership in aviation and aerospace education.”

Owning a Category: The World’s Business School for Aviation and Aerospace

With hundreds of business programs in Florida and thousands across the United States, Gibney is clear about what sets Embry‑Riddle apart.

 “We’re not trying to be another general business school,” he said.  “We are building the world’s premier college of business for aviation and aerospace. No one else is as focused, as integrated with industry, or as aligned to the outcomes this sector demands.”

That focus translates directly into how students learn. “Our students aren’t studying business in the abstract; they’re studying the business of flight,” he said. “Experiential learning is how we deliver results. The differentiator is that everything we do is anchored in a global industry with enormous demand for talent.”

Embry‑Riddle Trustee David B. O’Maley, for whom the College of Business is named, said that under Gibney’s leadership, the O’Maley College of Business is accelerating its evolution.

“I am confident that Joe’s commitment to innovation, industry partnership and workforce readiness is strengthening our academic enterprise and advancing Embry‑Riddle’s leadership in the business of aviation and aerospace,” O’Maley said. “Several students have expressed to me their excitement about Joe’s leadership, his involvement with the campus community and his ability to listen attentively — all early indicators of future success.”

Embry‑Riddle President P. Barry Butler, Ph.D., said that the O’Maley College of Business plays an important role in contributing to Embry‑Riddle’s strategic plan and in advancing the university’s five strategic pillars.

 “We are looking forward to further expanding opportunities for students, strengthening our industry connections, and reinforcing Embry‑Riddle’s role as a global leader in aviation and aerospace education,” Butler added.

As Gibney continues to shape the direction of the O’Maley College of Business, he remains focused on one goal: preparing graduates to lead in a rapidly evolving global economy.

“We’re building programs that meet the needs of industry today and anticipate the needs of tomorrow,” he said. “That’s how we ensure our Eagles, and the organizations they serve, continue to soar.”