At the Daytona Beach David B. O'Maley College of Business, you’ll study business in the industries that drive the world. As the world’s only residential college of business focused solely on aviation and aerospace, O’Maley offers a mix of business education and specialized industry knowledge, preparing students for careers in these fields.
If you want to build a career in aviation or aerospace beyond the flight deck or engineering, O’Maley provides another pathway. Through internships, projects, research, entrepreneurship, international experiences and industry certifications, you can begin building the experience, credentials and professional network employers value before you graduate. This experience can lead to opportunities in commercial airlines, business aviation, airport management, aerospace manufacturing, government and defense, space commerce, and advanced air mobility.
Learn in an industry-connected environment with opportunities to engage with executives, employer partners, alumni and faculty who bring aviation and aerospace expertise into the classroom.
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The only residential college of business dedicated to aviation and aerospace in the world
300+
Employer partners connecting students with opportunities across aviation, aerospace and related industries
100%
Of business courses include aviation and aerospace content
Build Your Path in Aviation and Aerospace Business
The B.S. in Aviation Business Administration at O’Maley offers a focused path into the business of aviation and aerospace, with five majors that allow students to develop expertise aligned with their career goals. The program combines a strong business foundation with industry-specific knowledge, experiential learning and professional skill development. This education prepares students with both specialized knowledge and practical experience to enter the industry.
Results
Where operational insight meets data interpretation. Study performance modeling, forecasting and analytical tools to enhance planning, efficiency and strategic outcomes in airlines, airports and aerospace organizations.
Examine business operations through the lens of the aviation industry. Study management, finance, marketing and supply chain strategy in aviation contexts. You’ll build analytical and leadership skills that support decision making in airlines, airports and aerospace organizations.
Examine how financial decisions shape airlines and aerospace operations. You’ll learn how organizations evaluate costs, manage resources and make strategic choices across the global aviation market.
Study how organizations operate and make decisions. Explore accounting, management, marketing and strategic planning while learning how businesses allocate resources, support teams and respond to changing markets across industries, including aerospace.
Focus on how business and operational systems function within air transportation. Learn how scheduling, service delivery, finance and workforce management connect to aviation outcomes.
Business Administration in Aviation Management program photo
Focus on the aviation finance and leasing industry through courses developed with the International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading. You’ll study valuation, leasing structures and asset management to prepare for roles in aircraft trading and investment.
O’Maley students put business into practice through experiential learning that connects the classroom directly to aviation and aerospace. Students work alongside faculty on real-world projects, using specialized labs, industry data and professional tools to build skills they can carry into their careers.
Experiential Learning Labs
Experiential Learning Labs
O’Maley is home to the Finance, Analytics and Risk Management (FAR) Lab; the Markets, Energy, Trading and Aerospace Lab (METAL); the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE); the Consumer Insights Lab; the Air Transportation Research Society (ATRS) Lab; and the Social Media Studio.
Students work alongside O’Maley faculty on applied research that addresses real business challenges in aviation and aerospace, often using industry data or scenarios relevant to companies and industry organizations. These experiences help students strengthen analytical skills while building professional experience beyond the classroom.
O’Maley faculty are recognized experts in aviation and aerospace business, bringing industry experience, research and deep subject expertise to the classroom.
The David B. O’Maley College of Business offers a high-touch learning environment built on close connections among students, faculty and industry. Students are part of a community that shares an interest in aviation and aerospace and benefits from regular interaction with industry professionals, visiting executives, employer partners and alumni.
Industry is embedded throughout the O’Maley experience through industry-informed coursework, company-sponsored projects, applied research, internships, executive engagement, professional associations and other opportunities beyond the classroom. These experiences help students explore their interests, build professional relationships and deepen their understanding of the industries they hope to join.
That combination of personal support and industry access helps students graduate with more than a degree, building a professional resume shaped by real-world experience, industry connections and career-ready skills.
The David B. O’Maley College of Business Executive in Residence program is a central part of our college’s learner-centered value proposition. Prominent executives of major aviation and aerospace companies spend several days on campus every semester and help our students and faculty learn from their experiences leading through the very circumstances we are preparing them to confront.
Our Executives in Residence want to actively give back and make a real difference in the lives of future aviation and aerospace leaders. They spend time in classes, as part of specialized panels, and one-on-one with our students. They generously share their time, talent and influence to help our students prepare for what comes next in hopes of launching careers that will be as distinguished as theirs have been.
Executives in Residence commit to two-year terms and multiple campus visits.
Leanne Carat Senior Advisor to Blackstone and a Director on the boards of Deere & Company and Raytheon Technologies
Kriya Shortt President and Chief Executive Officer, Textron eAviation
Ravi Dharnidharka Senior Vice President, Cirrus Services
Barry Eccleston Retired CEO and President Airbus Americas, Inc.
Candace Covington Air Charter Safety Foundation, Board of Governors
Roger Smeltzer (In Memoriam) President, Smeltzer Aviation Solutions, Inc.
General Norton Schwartz Former Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force
Industry leaders help inform the college’s direction, curriculum and connection to the evolving needs of aviation and aerospace employers.
The David B. O’Maley College of Business Young Alumni Board (YAB) consists of distinguished recent alumni across the aviation and aerospace industries, with the purpose of cultivating connections between current students and recent alumni to perpetuate long-term career success. Board members provide time, talent, leadership and influence, thereby committing themselves to elevating the visibility of the college and its unique educational mission.
Young Alumni Board Members
Owen Theeck
FlightAware
Manager, Sales & Special Projects
Jason Alvarez
The Boeing Company
Regional Director, Marketing & Strategy
Commercial Airplanes
Alexandria Cogdell
United Express Onboard Experience Analyst
United Airlines
Oko J. Nelson
Assistant Director
HALO AirFinance
Yulia Black
Delta Air Lines
Senior Sourcing Manager
Sloane Churchill
M.B.A. Aviation
Director - Engines & Inventory Valuations
Nidhi Trambadia
Air Wisconsin
Finance Manager
Chad Stearns
The Boeing Company
Program
Manager, Executive Transport & Surveillance
Daytona Beach David B. O'Maley College of Business
David B. O'Maley College of Business
Meet the Dean
Welcome to the David B. O’Maley College of Business at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. At O’Maley, we prepare students to lead the Business of Flight. Our students combine a rigorous business education with deep exposure to the aviation, aerospace and space industries through internships, industry engagement, professional tools, study abroad and hands-on learning. Our goal is for every O’Maley graduate to leave with an excellent education, meaningful industry experience, a professional network and a clear path to what comes next. If you love aviation and aerospace, I invite you to discover what’s possible at O’Maley. Welcome to the Business of Flight!
The aviation business degree at Embry‑Riddle proved its value every day in the internship. Being an intern with a strong financial and analytical background, paired with an abundance of industry knowledge, helped me obtain higher-level projects early on and complete them within the span of my internship by minimizing the learning curve.”
Tyler DeZell (’26), B.S. Aviation Business Administration
Business Education from the Ground Up
In today’s complex aviation and aerospace industries, a business education is essential. At Embry‑Riddle, you can start yours from the ground up.
The world’s leading aerospace university offers business degrees that range from management and finance to our newest programs in data science and business analytics.
Each degree can open the door to an unlimited future – not just in aerospace but in any industry. They also build a solid foundation for entrepreneurs who are dedicated to innovation.
