James Anthony Wilding was born in Washington, D.C. on December 22, 1937. Wilding trained as a civil engineer at The Catholic University of America, graduating in 1959. This same year he was hired by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and participated in the planning and development of Washington Dulles International Airport. He would go on to become chief of the engineering staff at both Dulles and National (now known as Reagan National) airports and was named director of the FAA authority overseeing both airports in 1979. Starting in 1984, Wilding worked alongside Transportation Secretary Elizabeth Dole to support the recommendation that the federal government hand over control of both Dulles and National airports to an independent public authority. The proposal was successful and in 1987 the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) was formed.

From 1987 until his retirement in 2003, Wilding worked closely with the MWAA as the first President and Chief Executive. This included leading the organization through construction of a new terminal and runway expansion at National Airport, terminal and concourse expansions at Dulles Airport, and the implementation of new security measures at both airports following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. On February 26, 2016 the Arrivals Hall inside the International Arrivals Building at Dulles Airport was named the "James A. Wilding International Arrivals Hall" in his honor. Wilding passed away on February 24, 2023 at the age of 85.