Michael Denoff
Denver,CO
Summary
Aviation operations leader with more than 20 years of experience in quality control, safety management, regulatory compliance, and team leadership. Leads risk-based audits, corrective actions, and cross-functional improvement efforts across airport operations while building strong partnerships with FAA, OSHA, airport authorities, and senior leaders to support safe, accountable performance.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Manager, Airport Operations Quality Control
United Airlines
Denver, CO
09.2020 - Current
- Provide strategic leadership for Airport Operations Quality Control programs overseeing safety, operational excellence, and regulatory compliance across insourced and outsourced airport operations.
- Led a geographically dispersed team of Quality Control auditors based in Denver, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
- Conducted risk-based operational audits assessing compliance with company policies, safety standards, and federal regulations, identifying areas for improvement.
- Partner with operational leaders to identify systemic risks, drive corrective actions, and improve enterprise-wide operational performance.
- Collaborate with Policy and Procedure Subject Matter Experts to enhance audit methodologies and ensure alignment with regulatory requirements.
- Co-developed a new corrective action process modeled after the FAA CAN Letter process, strengthening accountability and issue resolution.
- Championed the development of a cross-divisional OSHA audit program in partnership with Corporate Safety.
- Managed regulatory operating budget of approximately $400,000, ensuring fiscal accountability and optimizing resource allocation.
Airport Operations Regulatory (Temporary Assignment)
United Airlines
Denver, CO
07.2023 - 12.2023
- Served as primary contact for regulatory matters, driving corrective actions and mitigation strategies within Airport Operations.
- Coordinated cross-functional teams to implement corrective actions and validate compliance with regulatory standards.
- Led investigations and response development related to FAA Voluntary Disclosure Reporting Program submissions and Letters of Investigation.
- Supported regulatory investigations and compliance initiatives that enhanced operational integrity in Airport Operations.
- Presented regulatory trends, compliance activities, and risk assessments to senior leadership.
- Authored comprehensive investigative reports and executive-level briefings supporting regulatory responses.
Manager, Airport Operations Hub Safety
United Airlines
Los Angeles, CA
02.2018 - 09.2020
- Directed safety, regulatory compliance, and operational risk management efforts for United's Los Angeles hub operation.
- Developed and sustained programs that significantly reduced employee injuries, aircraft damage, and operational risk.
- Facilitated Safety Risk Assessments for gate changes, construction projects, fleet transitions, and operational process improvements to enhance safety protocols.
- Supported root-cause investigations and developed corrective actions for employee injuries and safety events, improving overall safety compliance.
- Partnered with operational leaders to investigate and address reports submitted through the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP).
- Led a team consisting of Safety Supervisors, Safety Advocates, and LOSA Observers.
- Served as the primary liaison with FAA, Cal/OSHA, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), and corporate safety leadership.
- Represented United Airlines at airfield safety meetings and industry safety forums.
Analyst, Ground Safety
United Airlines
06.2011 - 02.2018
- Created Ground Safety Performance Index, enabling enterprise-level safety performance reporting and trend analysis for informed decision-making.
- Developed and administered United's Event Reporting System (ERS) and Occupational Injury System (OIS).
- Supported enterprise-wide safety initiatives through program development, analytics, system management, and policy development.
- Delivered safety compliance training on OSHA recordkeeping, reporting systems, operational safety programs to enhance team awareness and adherence.
- Authored consolidated Aircraft Ground Damage Policy to unify safety procedures post United and Continental merger.
- Served as Subject Matter Expert on action-learning initiatives focused on reducing belt-loader-related aircraft damage.
- Represented United Airlines on the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Ground Operations Task Force.
- Presented industry best practices as a panel participant at the 2014 Passenger Terminal Expo in Barcelona, Spain.
Senior Safety Specialist
Continental Airlines
Newark, NJ
09.2006 - 06.2011
Operations & Safety Leadership Roles
Continental Airlines Chelsea Food Services
Los Angeles, CA
08.2003 - 09.2006
Ground Safety Intern
America West Airlines
Tempe, AZ
01.2002 - 06.2002
Education
Bachelor of Science - Aerospace Studies
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Prescott, ArizonaSkills
- Quality assurance and control
- Regulatory compliance
- Operational auditing
- Safety management systems
- Risk assessment and mitigation
- Root cause analysis
- Corrective action management
- Budget management
- Performance metrics and analytics
- Process improvement
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Team leadership and development
- Policy and procedure development
- Airline ground operations
Timeline
Airport Operations Regulatory (Temporary Assignment)
United Airlines
07.2023 - 12.2023
Manager, Airport Operations Quality Control
United Airlines
09.2020 - Current
Manager, Airport Operations Hub Safety
United Airlines
02.2018 - 09.2020
Analyst, Ground Safety
United Airlines
06.2011 - 02.2018
Senior Safety Specialist
Continental Airlines
09.2006 - 06.2011
Operations & Safety Leadership Roles
Continental Airlines Chelsea Food Services
08.2003 - 09.2006
Ground Safety Intern
America West Airlines
01.2002 - 06.2002
Bachelor of Science - Aerospace Studies
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University