Justin Towles serves as president of Crown Consulting Inc., overseeing operations, strategy and overall growth of the organization.

Towles joined the Crown team in 2022 after serving in key roles across the aerospace industry. Widely recognized as a leading expert in advanced aviation policy and a strong advocate for innovative technologies and systems, he brings together people from diverse ecosystems to forge coalitions and drive success. His work at the local, state and federal level, combined with his experience as an association executive and successful entrepreneur, demonstrates his ability to find creative solutions and build talented teams.

Before joining Crown, Towles was a leader in the advanced aviation practice at the D.C. law and lobbying firm, Akin Gump. Prior to that, he co-founded Ascension Global, a management consulting firm that provided strategic guidance, market analysis, state-of-the-art assessments and other senior-level support to federal agencies and major equipment manufacturers.

Previously, he served as vice president, federal affairs, for the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), where he represented the interests of airports and more than 6,000 AAAE members before Congress, Federal Aviation Administration and other parts of the Administration. He served as special assistant to the Governor of Maryland and as a legislative staffer for two members of Congress.

Throughout his career, Towles has received awards and honors for his service to the aerospace industry and his work in the community. These include Airport Business Magazine’s 40 under 40, AAAE Outstanding Service Award, multiple Maryland General Assembly citations and a Maryland Gubernatorial Citation for Outstanding Service to the Maryland Fire Service.