Scott M. Ayers is the Project Management Officer SMS Regulatory Compliance at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), the world’s busiest and most efficient airport. In this position, Ayers serves as an airport safety manager. With more than 35 years’ experience in airport/airline operations and safety, Ayers has taken a lead role in developing and operating a Safety Management System Program; represented ATL in the FAA Safety Management Systems Airport Pilot Studies and FAR Part 139 rulemaking; and trained Department of Aviation employees on Safety Management Systems ideology. Ayers earned his bachelor’s degree in aviation management and master’s degree in aeronautical science. Ayers is an International Airport Professional IAP Designation from ACI AMPAP in June 2018. He is an Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) and received his ACE operations certification from the American Association of Airport Executives. Ayers also earned his GA Certified Emergency Manager CEM in December 2019 and Six Sigma Lean Green Belt certification in January 2020. Ayers has three published Airport Safety SMS articles in the Journal of Airport Management entitled ‘Making SMS Data Reporting Work For You” Summer 2019 and “COVID19 Impacts and Resumption of Operations” in December 2020 and AAAE Airport Magazine entitled “SMS Benefits to Airports” in December 2019. Ayers has been and actively participating in Airport Cooperative Research Project Panels as an airport operations and safety expert.