Suzanne Markle  President/CEO  Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics

Suzanne Markle serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (PIA), where she leads the strategic direction of the institution’s multi-campus operations, academic programs, and industry partnerships. In this role, she oversees initiatives focused on academic quality, workforce alignment, regulatory compliance, and long-term institutional growth in support of the aviation industry’s evolving workforce needs.

With more than 26 years of service to PIA, Markle brings extensive experience in career-focused aviation education and institutional leadership. Her background includes leadership across academic operations, enrollment management, student services, and institutional administration. She holds a Master of Business Administration, a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education, and a certificate in Diversity and Inclusion.

In 2020, Markle was appointed by the U.S. Department of Transportation to serve on the Women in Aviation Advisory Board (WIAAB). Since then, Markle has remained actively engaged in national aviation workforce initiatives through her service on the Board of Directors for the Aviation Technician Education Council (ATEC), where she supports efforts to expand FAA testing capacity and strengthen aviation technician pipelines. She also participates in legislative outreach and industry forums focused on workforce development, aviation training, and technical education policy.