Zach Baughman

As Managing Deputy Commissioner for the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA), Zach Baughman leads the ORDNext program, one of the largest airport expansion projects in North America. ORDNext launched in 2025 and includes the construction of two new satellite concourses, Concourse D and Concourse E, and the new O'Hare Global Terminal that will replace Terminal 2, the airport's oldest facility.

Zach also oversees the department’s financial functions, including Capital Finance, Rates and Charges, and Operations & Maintenance Finance, encompassing personnel, budgeting, and payroll.

Prior to joining the CDA, Zach served the City of Chicago as an attorney in the Department of Law where he advised the CDA on complex contractual and regulatory matters, supported the management of significant debt transactions, and provided counsel on the intricacies of O’Hare’s and Midway’s respective Airline Use and Lease Agreements.

Before joining the City, Zach practiced in asset-backed debt finance at the Chicago-based law firm Chapman and Cutler LLP, where he developed a strong foundation in
structured finance.

Zach holds a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School. Outside of his professional achievements, Zach
enjoys exploring the outdoors and recently climbed a mountain in the North Cascades. He is also the proud companion of two lively dogs, who keeps him as busy at home as
he is at the CDA.