Winter 2012 – 2013
Consulting A Publication of the Airport Consultants Council
Global Airports, Competitive Businesses 2 012 ac c av i at i o n awa r d o f e xc e l l e n c e R ec i p i e n t
E D I TO R ’ S N O T E
ACI Director General Angela Gittens is the 2012 ACC Aviation Award of Excellence recipient. She has over 25 years of experience in aviation, holding executive positions at private transpor tation infrastructure firms, and at three of the largest U.S. airport systems: Miami International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and San Francisco International Airport. This breadth of experience has allowed Gittens to make significant contributions to the aviation industry, given her unparalleled perspectives on air transport-related issues. In early October, ACC staff had the opportunity to talk to Angela about current and future trends in the global aviation industry and the roles that ACI and ACC can play in the future.
An interview
with
ACC: In your opinion, what are the
most significant changes you’ve seen in global aviation in the past 10 years? Gittens: One is the changing business model of the airlines, which has wound up changing the business model of the airports. Between the worldwide growth in low-cost carriers that are offering frequent point-to-point service to smaller communities, and legacy carriers forming alliances and speaking with greater force, the dynamic between airlines and airports has changed. Because of this, airports, which were monopolies — or at least considered infrastructure monopolies — are not really in a monopolistic position anymore. That puts pressure on the airport Angela
Angela Gittens to make a favorable deal, shall we say, with low-cost carriers so that smaller communities get air service. Thus, airports are in an anomalous position of being so-called monopolies when they do not exercise monopoly power, which has caused airports to adjust their business models to cope. Outside the U.S., airports are either corporatized or privatized so that they can attract capital and the airport can become more entrepreneurial. You can no longer depend on sitting back with your monopoly status while service comes to you. You have to get out there and compete for it. You have to negotiate deals with airlines, whether they are legacy or low-cost. You have to make wise investments. You have to take big risks See GITTENS on page 14
page 4
page 6
page 11
SPECIAL FEATURE: GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES
Consultant perspective: Going Beyond a “Culture of One”
Call for nominations: ACC Aviation Award of Excellence
Executive UPdate
New Directions in Collaboration
Courtney A. Beamon, P.E. Delta Airport Consultants, Inc.
ACC 2012 Board of Directors Chair
ACC has traditionally played an important role in the personal and professional networking of its members, and it is vital that we contine to foster new and effective ways to interface. As such, when the Board met in July, we discussed how ACC could cultivate groups within the Council for purposes of mutual benefit. During our discussions, we referred to these groups as coalitions or forums, and it became evident that many benefits could be realized by extending well beyond what we commonly refer to as ‘networking.’ A few coalitions / forums were discussed, specifically: • Security Manufacturers Coalition
young members to be involved, but less staff time has been committed. This summer, a group of Individual (Sole Proprietor) members joined together via conference call to exchange ideas that are common to their firms. So far ACC’s role has been one of fostering the opportunity and helping to organize the forum. At this point, no other coalitions or forums have been formed; but we’d like to hear from you! How can ACC continue to add value to your membership? What coalitions or forums would you like to be a part of? What should ACC’s role be in these groups? What are some new ways to get together to achieve mutual goals and learn from each other?
• Young Professionals • Individual Members (Sole Proprietors) • Small / Mid-Size Firms • D / WBE Firms
Andy Platz, your incoming Chair for 2013, will be continuing this conversation with the Board and membership; he looks forward to fostering coalitions and forums within ACC. I encourage each member firm to reach out to Andy or me and let us know your thoughts on this topic.
The Security Manufacturers Coalition is cur- Finally, as my year as chair draws to a close, I rently thriving as a group within ACC. The would like to thank you all for the opportunity member firms pay an additional fee and benefit to serve the members and represent ACC durfrom the additional staff time it takes to lead ing 2012. It has been a true pleasure and honor! the group’s legislative and policy-centric efforts. I would also like to extend a special “thank This model is clearly at one end of the spectrum. you” to the staff of ACC. It is clear that we have a unique, dynamic and responsive team in The Young Professionals-related initiatives have Alexandria! been blossoming in the past year through the efforts and hard work of the ACC Marketing & May our paths cross again soon! Membership Committee and Faith Varwig with Faith Group, LLC. ACC’s role with the Young Professionals has, again, included organizational efforts and public relations to encourage
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Consulting, Winter 2012 – 2013
Table of contents Winter 2012 – 2013
Consulting
...delivering excellence in airport development
ACC 2013 Board of Directors
A Publication of the Airport Consultants Council
Chair Andy Platz, P.E.
Mead & Hunt, Inc.
Vice Chair David Peshkin, P.E.
Applied Pavement Technology, Inc.
Secretary/Treasurer Carol Lurie, LEED AP, AICP
Cover Story
Inside This Issue
1
7
Global Airports, Competitive Businesses
Immediate Past BOARD Chair Courtney A. Beamon, P.E. Delta Airport Consultants, Inc.
Board of Directors Don Bergin Blast Deflectors, Inc.
Roddy L. Boggus, NCARB, AIA
Executive Update 2
By Coutney A. Beamon, P.E., Delta Airport Consultants, Inc.
Marc Champigny
The Louis Berger Group
Mary Ellen Eagan David Kipp, P.E.
Ross & Baruzzini, Inc.
Kevin Quan
Special Feature 4–5
Matt Wenham, P.E.
10
ACC 34th Annual Conference & Exposition
11
Call for Nominations — 2013 ACC Aviation Award of Excellence
12
ACC Members • New Members • On the Move
C&S Companies
Marion Kromm White, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP HOK
Solomon Wong
InterVISTAS
ACC Staff Paula P. Hochstetler President
T.J. Schulz
Executive Vice President
Consultant Perspective 6
Member Spotlights ACC Executive Member E.M. Tech, Inc. and ACC Associate Member ServiceTec International, Inc.
Global Opportunities Perspectives from Airport Development Companies
ESCO-Zodiac Aerospace
8–9
New Directions in Collaboration
Parsons Brinckerhoff
Harris Miller Miller & Hanson, Inc.
Airport Planning, Design & Construction Symposium Preview
An Interview with Angela Gittens, 2012 ACC Aviation Award of Excellence recipient
Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.
2013 ACC Committee Leadership
Going Beyond a “Culture of One” Terry A. Ruhl, P.E., F. ASCE with CH2M HILL, addresses the Spring 2012 Colorado State University College of Engineering’s graduating class.
Colleen Flood
Manager, Marketing and Member Services
13
2013 ACC 35th Annual Conference & Exposition
14 – 18 Cover Story (continued from page one)
19
Upcoming ACC C and Institute Events
20
ACC 2012 Global Business Summit
John B. Reynolds
Manager, Communications
AirportConsulting Assistant Editor John B. Reynolds
Editor T.J. Schulz
AirportConsulting is published three times per year in conjunction with ACC conferences. For advertising information, contact John Reynolds at 703-683-5900. Please send your feedback, comments or suggestions to the editor at: Airport Consultants Council, 908 King Street, Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22314, or email TJS@ACConline.org. ©2012, ACC www.ACConline.org www.ACConline.org
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s pe c i a l f e a t u r e
Global Opportunities Perspectives from Airport Development Companies Editor’s Note: Over the last 15 years the number of U.S.-based ACC member firms that work overseas has grown significantly. At the same time, non-U.S. companies have joined ACC in greater numbers. This is clearly a reflection of the global nature of the industry and companies taking advantage of emerging markets. We asked select ACC member firms for their perspectives on why they actively seek projects around the globe. Dr. Alexander Ising Director, HOCHTIEF AirPort, Essen, Germany
Keith Thompson Principal, Gensler, Los Angeles, California
While demand for air travel is still growing in most regions of the world, less and less funds are available to provide adequate airport infrastructure. We have found that the key to success is to develop tailor-made and feasible capital expenditure programs for airport owners and operators, and avoid proposing castles in the air that can never be realized. As such, companies should simply avoid “business as usual.” Given the limited money resources, “this is the way it’s done in the industry” will no longer work. Only those using alternative and innovative ways of planning airport facilities will have a chance to compete and work on both lucrative and interesting projects.
We have found that the biggest opportunities for U.S. firms comes from bringing design expertise that does not exist in many countries, while simultaneously learning from the scale and innovation offered in other cultures/countries. Patience, reputation and solid corporate support for the initiative are critical for success.
When looking to potential partners, we seek those that bring
unique qualifications to our team, i.e., if a partner has done work in the country of the project before. We also may want to benefit from foreign partners with better cost structures, thus making our offer more competitive. Overall, the key to success is understanding the client and his needs. Then, try to understand the foreign client’s, or partner’s mentality, which can be best explained in a very simple example: Nodding means “Yes” in the western world, but “No” in South Eastern Europe, parts of Russia and India!
Tunde Oyekola Mnia Intl. Assoc. AIA, CEO, El-Mansur Atelier Group, ABUJA FCT, Nigeria
In my opinion, the biggest opportunities for airport development are in small-to-medium-sized airports in the new and emerging markets of Africa and Asia. While the needs may be for simple, functional and uncomplicated facilities, the fact is that Africa remains a huge market for airport development, and companies will be well advised to begin to look at this opportunity. The primary risks vary, from a lack of understanding of the market and culture, to the overall budgets that are available. Frequently, the funds needed for projects are not readily available. As a result, the various governments have to depend on foreign loans. Companies that can facilitate such an arrangement are at a competitive advantage. Doing business in Africa requires a lot of unique thinking because challenges are as diverse as they are unconventional.
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Consulting, Winter 2012 – 2013
Some of the top risks include the higher costs of competition, questionable business/ selection practices, and cultural/language differences that lead to difficulties in understanding and responding to client priorities. Having a corporate relationship network and international risk-management is
a plus. Also, teaming with firms that have established relationships abroad is a good way to enter markets and mitigate risks. Companies should be prepared to bring their checkbook and spend resources and time getting grounded in a given market. Having boots-on-the-ground with language and cultural skills doesn’t hurt either.
Understanding the culture and mindset and peculiar needs of the client and people is vital. Never go in with a pre-conceived perspective; otherwise you will be unnecessarily prejudiced. One should go the extra mile to understand why things are the way they are. Take time to ask questions. Frequently, partnering with the locals who have great exposure will make this process easier. Finally, know the difference in the application of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. While these two bodies are similar, there are subtle differences in requirements and expectations. For example, the FAA uses the Aircraft Classification Number (ACN) in classifying airports, whereas Nigeria uses the Pavement Classification Number (PCN) as an ICAO country. In Nigeria, our airport pavements are typically made from flexible, hot-rolled asphalt, compared to rigid concrete at some airports in the U.S. Companies that understand the FAA and ICAO standards, and their implementation in various regions, can take advantage of this when competing abroad. Of course the units of measurement varies from country to country as well.
Kevin Cleary Group Head Consultancy consult / daa, Dublin, Ireland
Monty Gettys President, Montgomery Consulting Group, Inc., Winter Park, Florida
There are substantial international opportunities for U.S. firms that can provide air navigation and airspace analysis as many countries leap-frog their air navigation systems to NextGen technologies. In developing countries, there are opportunities for change management and organizational analysis as civil aviation authorities restructure their organizations to meet ICAO requirements. There are also opportunities for air service firms to provide market analysis to developing airlines and airports seeking to brand themselves within their respective regions. Finally, security planning and integration of technologies is an area of significant promise. While working in developing countries, U.S. professional service firms need to recognize they need to bring technical and financial expertise. Knowledge of funding/financial sources for planning, engineering, and construction implementation is just as important as the technical expertise and experience, since projects typically do not move forward without an ability to identify project financing. A risk many smaller firms encounter is a lack of knowledge about the procurement processes. Firms can invest lots of time into a project pursuit only to find out that they are not eligible. Making contact with airport or transportation experts in the U.S. Embassy and/or Consulates can help tremendously in researching the way your tarwww.ACConline.org
geted agency procures the services your firm provides. Language can also be a major barrier to working internationally, so identifying a resource (even if part time) that speaks and writes in the language of your target country is recommended.
The global airport market is undergoing significant change at present. With new airport developments, privatization and transactions underway throughout the globe, exciting opportunities abound for airport development companies. We suggest looking at the markets on the cusp of the greatest change, which in our view includes the U.S. The development of non-aviation revenues and strategies seems to be a recurring theme wherever we travel. From the U.S. to China, we are continually getting inquiries relating to maximizing the commercial potential of an airport in order to fund and deliver on an aviation mandate. Due to this trend, investors and developers without previous experience are turning their sights
to the aviation market. The opportunities lie in bringing genuine expertise and know-how to these groups, enabling them to navigate and build on the potential. Having the complete A-Z set of skills is essential for any team to achieve success. We have found that being an airport operator with international experience can be a clear differentiator. Knowledge in planning and execution of non-aeronautical strategies, including real time, hands-on operational and management experience, along with infrastructural and development expertise, are all crucial skills for successful teaming.
Attending international conferences and forums and making one-on-one connections Don Bergin have been particularly Director of Regional Sales, helpful. The U.S. Trade and Blast Deflectors, Inc., Reno, Nevada Development Agency (USTDA) Clearly, the opportunity to hosts regional airport and expand markets can lead to aviation conferences, bringing increased revenue. Beyond the together key decision makers obvious revenue motive, firms on numerous agencies and with a foothold in a number countries. Attendance allows of countries don’t have to event of a country or region, as a firm to learn more about the depend on the economy of a attending these conferences or opportunities, key players, and single market. This has been a tradeshows is a very helpful way timelines without traveling to particularly key benefit of Blast to evaluate the potential of a individual locations. USTDA Deflector’s overseas growth, as new market and identify revenue also funds Reverse Trade we have seen a slowdown in opportunities. Missions, where foreign officials our historically strong domestic from a specific country or market. Today, more than 50 Some risks for a supplier like BDI region that have upcoming percent of our revenue comes are different from risks that an procurements are brought to the from projects outside the U.S. A/E firm would consider, namely U.S. to tour similar facilities and intellectual property (IP)-related meet with interested U.S. firms. To get underway, consider issued. Other risks common to These are great opportunity to starting a collection of passport both airport consultants and get one-on-one time at minimal stamps! Developing personal airport suppliers include foreign out of pocket expense. The relationships with potential exchange risk, tax issues, politiACC Global Business Summit overseas clients and partners cal risks and collection problems. is another good opportunity to is a key part of developing learn about opportunities and to new markets and solving the Finally, avoid assuming that inevitable challenges associated your standard approach is right network. with overseas projects. This and that the local approach is Don’t be discouraged if your means extensive travel and wrong. Being open to new apfirst try doesn’t go as planned. face time with clients. Also proaches and new technologies Pick a different client, a differ- consider participating in the can lead to an improved delivermajor annual airport industry able or product. ent region, and keep trying!
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C o n s u l t a n t P e r s pe c t i v e
Going Beyond a “Culture of One” E xc e r p t s f rom C omme nc e me n t A ddre s s As you begin to enter the workforce, or move on to an advanced degree, the scope and range of engineering challenges you will be asked to solve are arguably larger and more complex than at any other time in our history. With the world’s population expected to grow to about 9 billion by 2050, the need to bolster infrastructure, develop sustainable food and water sources, meet increased energy demands, and minimize environmental damage has never been higher.
By: Terry A. Ruhl, P.E., F. ASCE; CH2M HILL Terry Ruhl delivering commencement address at Colorado State University’s College of Engineering graduation ceremony on May 11, 2012 in Fort Collins, CO.
Four simple words to remember are:
• Be a champion of something — Give back to your school and the community — you will be rewarded.
Passion — Develop your career based on what you love; if you don’t have passion about what you do, do something else. • Never stop learning — We can People who are not happy can be contagious, always improve as an engineer/friend/ even cancerous; similarly, optimists breed mentor/leader/follower/spouse. You may optimism. When mentoring and working not realize it, but you have embarked on a with the people around you, highlight four campaign of life-long learning. It doesn’t positive things for every negative. This is stop when you are handed your diploma in five minutes. hard, I know. Ask my kids.
I’m here to tell you that even though we are just coming out of the worst recession in a lifetime, the world did not stop innovating, planning, engineering, and building. Compassion — You must learn to work • Collaborate — Don’t be selfish. Avoid Hundreds of thousands of engineering with others and treat one another with re- a “culture of one.” Engineering, no matter assignments being delivered by engineers spect. As you grow throughout your career, what the business or individual career, is a around the globe, were started or carried on you’ll truly learn the difference between team sport. Rarely, if ever, will you accomthroughout the economic downturn. Since leadership and management. Leadership is plish something on your own. the dawn of time, it has been the engineers about others — not yourself — and is transwho have developed a better world, regard- formational. Management is transactional • Adapt to change and “unfair” less of the events taking place around them. — and can be boring at times, honestly. situations — Change is constant and unyielding in today’s business environment. Another word of advice is don’t necessar- Communication — This topic needs In addition, you will come across situations ily believe or trust everything you read or a bit more emphasis, especially in a world where you will be treated unfairly — expect hear in the media. Remember, pessimism where we see leaders and elected politicians it and have the fortitude to work through it. “sells,” and I contend that optimism “buys.” talking past each other every day. The often Difficult times bring change and change forgotten rule of communication is listening. • Think globally — Look for partnerbrings opportunity. I want to give you a Become the best listener you can be. In the ships; not adversarial relationships — search sense of urgency as you enter the next chap- engineering profession, most failures derive for a win-win. Not every situation requires ter of your life. How you view the next five from communication problems, not techni- a “loser.” The way I look at my industry years will have a tremendous impact on the cal issues. Become the best communicator throughout the world, infrastructure is remainder of your career. you can be, written and oral. paramount to our ability to compete globally — global competitiveness, in turn, truly does My advice follows two general philosophies. Competition — It follows from passion. dictate our standard of living. Don’t forget, Have the drive to succeed. And please note however, that we have plenty of problems that it’s OK to fail as well. You’re going that need solutions outside our back door Strive to be well-rounded in all that you do. We have all known brilliant, but to fail at something — it’s an inescapable here in the U.S. one-dimensional people. Their effectiveness aspect of the human condition. is marginalized by an inability to • Be honest with yourself and collaborate, communicate ideas, and explore A few more follow-on and closing thoughts others — As alluded to earlier, act with integrity — remember to always “do the the financially practical and the politically for your consideration… right thing.” At the end of the day, your feasible. • Focus — while I indicated a strong desire integrity is all you have — it far outlasts any Be resilient. Most anybody can succeed for being well-rounded, you will never be all paycheck or material wealth you receive. when times are good. But you will be things to all people; focus on what matters. measured by the negative events in your life As I tell people at work, don’t treat every In closing, CH2M HILL’s long held creed and your career — it’s how you respond (or request or opportunity you receive like a is “Do good work. Make a profit. Enjoy life.” Together, let’s build a better world! rebound) to challenges and setbacks that subpoena. will dictate your legacy. 6
Consulting, Winter 2012 – 2013
2013 Committee Leadership COMMITTEE
CHAIR
VICE-CHAIR
Engineering
Doug Sander Delta Airport Consultants, Inc.
Katie Chou Hatch Mott MacDonald
Environmental
Brad Rolf Mead & Hunt, Inc.
Mike Kenney KB Environmental
Planning
Diana Wasiuk Harris Miller Miller Hanson Inc.
Barton Gover Parsons Brinkerhoff
Safety & Security/ Security Capabilities Day
Larry Studdiford Jacobs
Doug Deihl Analogic Corporation
Sustainability
Jane Ahrens Gresham, Smith and Partners
Greg Heaton Crawford, Murphy & Tilly, Inc.
Terminal
Dennis Gillespie HOK
Mark Lang Lang & Associates, LLC
Technical
Government Affairs
F e brua ry 6 – 8, 201 3 New Orleans Marriott // New Orleans, LA Increase your knowledge about the latest airport technical issues and trends by attending the 2013 ACC/ AAAE Airport Planning, Design and Construction Symposium. The symposium is the preeminent technical event where you can gain the latest information and developments affecting the industry. Airport professionals of all experience levels will find a mix of presentations and interactive discussions on technical content in the following disciplines: »» Planning »» Terminal/landside »» Engineering/airside »» Program management/Construction management »» International trends »» Airport finance »» Sustainability »» Information technology
Legislative & Regulatory
Kevin Dolliole Unison Consulting, Inc.
Kelly Rubino Hanson Professional Services, Inc.
Project Delivery
Knute Ruggaard CH2M HILL
Andy Wasiniak Walbridge
Todd Knuckey Atkins
Gen Long Applied Pavement Technology, Inc.
Awards
Pat Askew Gensler
Lynn Leibowitz Leibowitz&Horton Airport
Contact T.J. Schulz, ACC, at (703) 683-5900, or e-mail tjs@ACConline.org.
Globalization
Dave Stader CH2M HILL
Steve Riano Bechtel Corporation
Contact Amy Trivette, AAAE, at (703) 824-0500, ext. 160 or e-mail amy.trivette@aaae.org
Services ACC Institute
Events ACC/AAAE Airport Planning, Design & Construction Symposium
J.J. Morton Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.
Mark Kuttrus Parsons Brinckerhoff
Summer Workshop Series
Damon Smith Mead & Hunt, Inc.
Mark McGuire Campbell & Paris Engineers
ACC Annual Conference
Bill Sandifer RS&H
Kristin Shaw SITA
FOr exhibit and sponsorship information
For registration and hotel information
Contact Brian Snyder, CMP, AAAE, at (703) 824-0500, Ext. 174, or e-mail Be sure to join brian.snyder@aaae.org. your colleagues
at the preeminent airport technical event of the year. FOR REGISTRATION AND MORE INFO:
Operations Marketing/ Membership
Nate Mortenson Safegate Airport Systems, Inc.
Nick Ryan Arora Engineers, Inc.
Nominating
Andy Platz Mead & Hunt, Inc.
Courtney Beamon Delta Airport Consultants, Inc.
Past Board Chair
Terry Ruhl CH2M HILL
Ron Peckham C&S Companies
www.ACConline.org
For program information
www.ACConline.org www.aaaemeetings.org
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member spotlight
ACC E x e c u t i v e m e m b e r
Engineering & Materials Technologies, Inc. (E.M. Tech) 7857 Coppermine Drive Manassas, Virginia 20109 TEL: 703-361-9898 FAX: 703-361-6565 www.emtechengineers.com
E
ngineering & Materials Technologies, Inc. (E.M. Tech) is a full-service engineering firm providing geotechnical, structural and forensic engineering, consulting, materials testing, and construction QC/QA services. Since its’ establishment in January 1997, E.M. Tech has been committed to providing high quality service to clients in the Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. region, and has become one of the area’s most respected full-service engineering consulting firms. E.M. Tech’s Principal Engineer, Shaz Moosa, is a licensed Professional Engineer in Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. He has over 27 years of experience providing engineering consulting services in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, and is a member of the Fairfax County Geotechnical Review Board. E.M. Tech’s staff consists of highly qualified registered Professional Engineers, a Certified Professional Geologist, staff level engineers, certified engineering inspectors and technicians, and an administrative support team.
Prepared by Nancy Rigby, Office Manager
E.M. Tech’s fully equipped in-house laboratory supports their engineering and consulting services, and is managed by a graduate civil engineer. It is accredited by AMRL and WACEL for ASTM E329 (HMA, Concrete, Soil), ASTM C1077 (Concrete), ASTM D3666 (HMA), and ASTM D3740 (Soil). E.M. Tech participates in test programs that evaluate their ability to accurately and efficiently perform testing utilizing ASTM, VTM, AASHTO, and other test methods. E.M. Tech is registered as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise ( DBE ) with the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit
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Consulting, Winter 2012 – 2013
Authority (WMATA). E.M. Tech regularly participates as a team member on projects that require communication with diverse entities. Their project management practices result in the ability to define, execute, and deliver effective and time-critical support services to other members of the project team. E.M. Tech’s experience includes projects for public, commercial, school, industrial, office, and residential developments involving various methods and types of construction. E.M. Tech has or is currently providing QC/QA services, Special Inspection services, laboratory services (materials testing and soils/concrete mix designs) and/or engineering consulting services for projects at Washington Dulles International Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Manassas Regional Airport, Andrews AFB, and the Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport. E.M. Tech continues to expand services while maintaining high ethical standards, and has developed an excellent record of performance with the private sector and public agencies. Representatives of local government agencies recognize E.M. Tech as a high quality service provider. Their level of customer service is reflected by the names and reputations of their clients. Many of their clients are ones with whom they have formed long-term relationships, and new clients are often the result of referrals. E.M. Tech is dedicated to pursuing excellent relationships with their clients as they broaden their service capabilities. Please visit www.emtechengineers.com to learn more.
ACC a s s o c i a t e m e m b e r
member spotlight
ServiceTec International, Inc. 12007 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 355 Reston, VA 20191 TEL: (703) 259-4000 FAX: (703) 259-4001 Email: Philip.mcdonough@servicetec.com Web: www.servicetec.com
ServiceTec
S
erviceTec International, Inc. specializes in the provision of Managed IT Services to the world’s airport and airline industries, managing, maintaining, monitoring and supporting business and mission critical systems faster and more efficiently than any other service provider.
Regardless of the airport’s issues, objectives or requirements, the chances are ServiceTec has successfully addressed these issues in other airports throughout the world.
ServiceTec provides the expertise to support business and mission critical systems in airports of all sizes and passenger traffic demands. ServiceTec is distinguished from other providers of Managed IT Services by its expertise, experience and knowledge. ServiceTec specializes solely in the delivery of Managed IT Services to airports and airlines. ServiceTec knows the industry, the issues and knows how to help organizations improve services, reduce costs and become more efficient. The world’s largest and busiest airports rely on ServiceTec to ensure the ongoing availability of business and mission critical systems. ServiceTec is at the forefront of many advanced airport technologies, including self-service check-in kiosks, biometric and iris recognition systems, baggage reconciliation systems, flight information systems, departure control systems, passenger check-in systems and associated networking infrastructures. With over 2 million hours of experience, support well in excess of 50,000 system devices and more than 1,000 self service devices at the world’s busiest airports, ServiceTec continues to set the standards against which other support companies are measured.
Network Management As airport IT services become increasingly more complex, reliance on the network is crucial to the efficient functioning of all other IT services. Whether it is optimizing capacity, monitoring security or managing utilization, availability and reliability, ServiceTec has the knowledge and experience to deliver.
www.ACConline.org
Examples of ServiceTec’s areas of expertise include:
Passenger Check-in, Boarding and Self Service As the world’s leading independent provider of managed IT services, ServiceTec provides the right resources with the right capabilities to best support an airport’s passenger handling requirements. From check-in to bag tagging to boarding gate, ServiceTec has been instrumental in helping airports introduce and extend their passenger self- service programs, accruing a wealth of knowledge about improving the process along the way. In addition to knowledgeable and experienced customer service technicians, ServiceTec employs certified systems administrators for all the major systems provider platforms. Whatever the challenges of an airport, ServiceTec delivers services tailored to meet specific require-
ments and objectives, synergizing knowledge and expertise with the airport’s unique environment. Security As the boundaries between specialist security systems and airport IT continue to blur, ServiceTec is the partner of choice able to successfully cross those boundaries, and provide the quality of service an airport needs through utilizing highly trained, skilled site-based technicians to raise the support of security systems to a far higher level. Staff Augmentation No one knows their airport as well as the dedicated staff working there – but sometimes that team needs augmenting with extra resources backed by the experience of over 2 million hours working in some of the most challenging airports in the world. It is the value-add only available with that level of experience, that makes talking to ServiceTec International the smart choice.
Prepared by Phillip McDonough, Director of Business Development and Ken Wright, Vice President, Business Relations
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Big T HAnks SPONSORS SILVER LEVEL SPONSOR (MORNING BREAK)
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Delta Airport Consultants www.deltaairport.com Delta provides specialized airport planning, design, and construction administration services to commercial service and general aviation airports. Projects include Master Plans, Environmental Assessments, new terminals, airside pavements, airfield lighting, access roads, parking lots, and other airport improvements. Delta has implemented many of the firm’s planning concepts. We are experienced with funding criteria, construction alternatives, budget control, and project administration.
PLATINUM LEVEL SPONSOR (AWARDS LUNCHEON) Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA) www.aci-na.org The Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA) represents local, regional and state governing bodies that own and operate commercial airports in the United States and Canada. Over 350 aviation-related businesses are also members of ACI-NA, providing goods and services to airports. ACI-NA’s members enplane more than 95 percent of the domestic and virtually all the international airline passenger and cargo traffic in North America. The mission of ACI-NA is to advocate policies and provide services that strengthen the ability of commercial airports to serve their passengers, customers and communities.
GOLD LEVEL SPONSOR (CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST) Mead & Hunt, Inc. www.meadhunt.com Mead & Hunt is a fullservice aviation consultant with 450 employees in 24 offices nationwide providing expertise in engineering, planning, architecture, environmental planning, air service development and program management. We also offer specialty services such as irregular operations (IROPS), business, financial and sustainability planning; wildlife hazard management; and navigational aids design. We have been active in airport development since the 1940s — serving a national audience with a local perspective. Mead & Hunt ranks among the top 500 A/E firms in the nation by Engineering News Record and consistently places in their “Top 25 in Airports” list. Learn more at www.meadhunt.com.
GOLD LEVEL SPONSOR (KEYNOTE ADDRESS) Gensler www.gensler.com Gensler is a full-service design firm offering aviation industry clients a broad spectrum of services. In addition to our overall design management capabilities in the role of master architect, Gensler offers specific expertise in airport facilities planning and design, terminal renovation and expansion, terminal security implementation, interior design and airport graphics. As the nation’s largest architecture and interior design firm, Gensler is responsible for the design of over ten million square feet of terminal facilities currently in use at more than thirty airports around the world.
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EXHIBITORS
DIAMOND LEVEL SPONSOR (LANYARDS)
PLATINUM LEVEL SPONSOR (WELCOME RECEPTION)
Consulting, Winter 2012 – 2013
to all of the exhibitors, sponsors and ACC members for helping to make the ACC 34th Annual Conference & Exposition possible.
SILVER LEVEL SPONSOR (AFTERNOON BREAK) The Louis Berger Group www.louisberger.com The Louis Berger Group, Inc. (LBG) is a multi-disciplinary transportation planning and design firm with offices throughout the United States and around the globe. LBG’s Aviation Services Division prides itself on developing cost effective, sustainable, airport improvement strategies that allow airport operators to flexibly plan and implement projects necessary to meet present and forecast demand in an often changing environment. LBG’s depth of aviation expertise and dedication to customer service ensures that every client receives the same high level of attention and performance on every project, regardless of scale or complexity. Consequently, we have built an impressive project portfolio and have served a wide range of clients representing an array of airports from large hub to general aviation. Our aviation specialty areas include: Planning, Environmental, Engineering, Financial and Operational Support, and Program Management.
SILVER LEVEL SPONSOR (NEW ACC MEMBERS’ ORIENTATION (PALs RECEPTION) Smiths Detection www.smithsdetection.com Smiths Detection is part of the global technology business Smiths Group. It offers advanced integrated security solutions for customers in civil and military markets worldwide and is a leading technology developer and manufacturer of sensors that detect and identify explosives, radiological chemical and biological agents, weapons, and contraband. Its advanced technology security solutions also include x-ray imaging systems, millimeter-wave technology and a specialist software supply business for the management of large sensor and video surveillance networks.
ACC PLAYER ESCO-Zodiac Aerospace www.zodiacaerospace.com As part of the ZODIAC Aerospace family, Engineered Arresting Systems Corporation (ESCO) is the global leader in the manufacturing of military and commercial aircraft arresting systems. Our EMAS, Engineered Material Arresting System, is FAA-accepted and validated for use in satisfying runway safety area (RSA) requirements. Installing EMAS would shorten RSA length to 600 feet or less, which could allow airports with standard RSA length to gain additional runway length for operation. Our technology has been deployed worldwide at over 68 runway ends at both commercial service and general aviation airports. EMAS has been credited to have stopped 8 aircraft with a total of 235 crew and passengers on board in real life overrun situations.
EJ www.ejco.com East Jordan Iron Works, Inc. is a leader in the manufacturing and distribution of construction castings. Our extensive product line includes airport and port authority castings; storm and sanitary manhole frames and covers; drainage castings; trench grating; gate valves; fire hydrants; utility construction castings, access hatches and tree grates. EJIW produces gray and ductile iron castings to meet the specifications of federal, state and local agencies nationwide, earning a reputation for American made quality products and customer service since 1883. WE COVER YOUR INFRASTRUCTURE™. Contact EJIW sales professionals at 800-626-4653. Flex-O-Lite, Inc. www.flexolite.com Flex-O-Lite is the leading global manufacturer and supplier of Glass Beads for Airport Markings including Type III, Type I and Type IV. Our TIII airport beads exceed US Federal Specification TTB-1325 D, Type III and provide the highest level of marking visibility and safety. We provide technical support for our customers around the world to ensure performance during installation. We also offer a turn key asset management programs “AIRWIZE” that combine long term (5 year) maintenance service for airfield markings and rubber removal. MaxCell www.maxcell.us MaxCell is the only flexible fabric innerduct system designed specifically for the network construction industry. The unique fabric construction allows MaxCell to conform to the shape of cables placed within, greatly reducing the wasted space associated with rigid innerduct. Today’s network owners and builders use MaxCell to increase their cable density by as much as 300%. For more information, please call 888.387.3828 or visit the MaxCell web site at www.maxcellinnerduct.com. Navtech Radar www.navtechradar.com Navtech Radar has been a leading manufacturer of security radars since 1999. Radar is the most effective perimeter surveillance technology for airports, because of the flat terrain and line of sight. Ten European airports are using Navtech, and the FCC has recently opened the frequency for use in U.S. airports. Neenah Foundry www.neenahenterprises.com Neenah Foundry is a manufacturer of gray and ductile iron municipal and airport castings, such as manhole frames, lids, curb inlets and trench grates. Transportation Research Board — ACRP Email: jsnell@nas.edu; msalamone@nas.edu The Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) is an industry-driven, applied research program that develops near-term, practical solutions to problems faced by airport operators. ACRP is managed by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) of the National Academies and sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The research is conducted by contractors who are selected on the basis of competitive proposals.
The Airport Consultants Council
Announces… The 2 0 1 3
ACC Aviation Award of Excellence
Call For Nominations The Airport Consultants Council (ACC) Aviation Award of Excellence recognizes the contributions of an individual, group, or organization to the airport and aviation industry. While consultants are not eligible for the award, candidates whose contributions qualifying them for nomination were completed within two years of their nomination and who have subsequently become consultants will be eligible for consideration.
Past Recipients Past recipients of the prestigious ACC Aviation Award of Excellence include: Catherine (Kate) M. Lang, FAA Deputy Associate Administrator for Airports Benjamin R. DeCosta, Former Department of Aviation General Manager, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport Edmund S. “Kip” Hawley, Former TSA Administrator Gina Marie Lindsey, Executive Director, Los Angeles World Airports
Selection Criteria
James Bennett A.A.E., President and CEO, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, (MWAA)
The selection of the recipient is based upon the extent to which their contributions meet the following criteria:
Frederick W. Smith, Chairman, President and CEO, FedEx Corporation
■ Are significant, visionary and/or innovative;
Jeffrey P. Fegan, CEO, Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport James C. DeLong, A.A.E., Former Director of Aviation, Louisville Airport Authority
■ Have advanced the airport and aviation industry; and ■ Are a public service.
Lydia Kennard, Former Executive Director, Los Angeles World Airports Norman Y. Mineta, DOT Secretary Bombardier Aerospace, Manufacturer of the CRJ Series Regional Jet
Nominations Please use the following format when submitting nominations: Nominee — Identify the individual with title, organization, and contact information (address, phone, fax and email).
Bud Shuster, Chairman, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure James L. Oberstar, Ranking Democratic Member, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
Nominator — Identify the individual submitting the nomination with title, organization and contact information.
Donald D. Engen, Director, National Air and Space Museum
Reason/Qualifications — Describe in 150 words or less the nominee’s contributions that warrant their selection for the award. Focus on the award purpose and selection criteria when describing the nominee’s contributions. Additional supporting materials are not required.
Aviation Week Group, Publishers of Aviation Daily & Airports
Gordon Bethune, Chairman and CEO, Continental Airlines
Herbert D. Kelleher, President, Chairman of the Board and CEO, Southwest Airlines Leonard L. Griggs, FAA Assistant Administrator for Airports Federico F. Peña, Former Mayor, City of Denver
Award Presentation
Samuel K. Skinner, DOT Secretary
The ACC Aviation Award of Excellence will be presented at the ACC 35 Annual Conference & Exposition, November 11 – 13, 2013, Loews Ventana Canyon, Tucson, AZ.
th
Please
Clifton A. Moore, Executive Director, Los Angeles Department of Airport Positions listed are those held at the time that the award was presented
submit by January 31, 2013
your nominations
TO: Pat Askew, ACC 2013 Awards Committee Chair, Phone: (202) 263-5447 Email: pat_askew@gensler.com
www.ACConline.org
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ACC M E MB E RS
Executive MEMBERS
AEA Group — PPC, ERG, and AEA Technology Mr. Damon Fordham, Senior Principal 1760 Old Meadow Rd, McLean, VA 22102 Ph: 703-748-5179, Fax: 703-748-7001 Email: damon.fordham@ppc.com Web: www.aeat.co.uk
AEA group, which includes Project Performance Corporation, Eastern Research Group, and AEA Technology, is a 1,000-person energy and environmental consultancy operating in the U.S. and Europe, with world-leading expertise in sustainable transportation, air quality, and climate change. Our staff includes scientists, modelers, policy analysts, management consultants, and IT professionals.
Arcadis Ralph Taber, Construction Manager 320 Commerce, Suite 200, Irvine, CA 92602 Ph: 714-508-2619 Email: ralph.taber@arcadis-us.com Web: www.arcadis-us.com Arcadis is an international firm providing planning, design, construction management, environmental and Asset Management Services around the world. The company experience includes Terminals, Security Screening, Baggage Handling Systems, Information Technology, airfield pavements, NAVAIDS, Sustainable construction practices.
CCI Engineering Services Ms. Joyce Johnson, President 2323 W. 5th Ave., Ste. 120 Columbus, OH 43204 Ph: 614-485-0670, Fax: 614-485-0677 Email: joycej@ccitechs.com Web: www.ccitechs.com CCI provides civil engineering and engineering technology services to the transportation, utilities and construction industries. These services include roadway and bridge design, pavement design and management, electrical engineering,
On the Move Environmental Science Associates (ESA) has moved its corporate headquarters and flagship San Francisco office from 225 Bush Street to 550 Kearny Street, in San Francisco, California. More than 120 of the firm’s 350 staff, including planners, scientists, engineers, hydrologists, and corporate services will occupy 32,000 square feet on the 8th and 9th floors. Founded and headquartered in the Bay Area since 1969, ESA has grown into a broad-based environmental science and planning firm with a nationwide presence. Critical to the firm’s success is the depth of technical resources in local offices along with support from firmwide national practices including water, community development, biological resources and land management, airports, energy, renewable resources, and cultural resource management. SSi, Inc. has acquired the professional aviation consulting services practice of its partner company AviaEd and will now offer these services as part of a total training solution to the aviation industry. From stand-alone on-premise training systems with highly customized courseware, to subscription based on-demand courses, SSi provides its clients with the most innovative 12
Consulting, Winter 2012 – 2013
New Members airport GIS, Building Information Modeling (BIM), BIM coordination, Computer Aided Drafting and Design (CADD) and Primavera Project Scheduling/ Contract Manager.
Futron Corporation Mr. Dave Fleet Technical Director, Airport Operations 4410 East Claibourne Square Ste 334 Hampton, VA 23666 Ph: 317-490-0050 Email: dfleet@futron.com Web: www.futron.com Futron Corporation is a leader in providing innovative Decision Management Solutions (DMS). Founded in 1986, Futron combines business, technical, and management expertise with analytical capabilities creating solutions for improved decisions, performance, and results. Futron provides subject matter expertise to airports in the areas of Safety Management Systems, Enterprise Management Systems, and Risk Management.
IP Design Group Mr. Brant Yantzer, Chief Operations Officer 1102 Douglas St, Omaha, NE 68102 Ph: 402-346-7007, Fax: 402-346-9576 Email: byantzer@ipdesigngroup.com Web: www.ipdesigngroup.com IP Design Group is a leading consultant of surveillance, electronic access control, acoustics, communications systems, information systems, physical infrastructure, and master planning for airports. We enable clients to transform information into action through a proven interactive planning process with key stakeholders and facilitate implementation from design to performance verification.
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
NAVTECH RADAR Mr. Daniel Flynn, Consultant 5 Windjammer Point, Merritt Island, FL 32952
products to meet TSA and FAA guidelines. By adding consulting services for airport security, emergency and certification plans, along with expert-facilitated classroom training for security coordinators, safety managers and credentialing staff, SSi is well positioned to meet the dynamic needs of their growing client base. Mr. Dean Cox has joined Atkins as business development manager in Seattle. Cox will be responsible for developing relationships with new and existing aerospace clients for Atkins in North America. Cox brings to Atkins more than 20 years’ experience in the aerospace industry, most recently as project technical leader for Boeing. His broad aerospace background includes various senior roles at Boeing, Airbus North America, Hawker Beechcraft, Crane Aerospace, and SONACA. Cox’s addition to the team follows an exciting first year for Atkins’ aerospace business in North America. Twelve months after opening its doors, Atkins’ aerospace office in Seattle has expanded into new, larger office space in the Seattle suburb of Kirkland, Washington; and has already delivered its first major projects for U.S. clients. Mr. Nicholas Johnson has joined Steven Baldwin Associates, LLC as an Associate. Johnson joins the firm with several years’ experience in the operations department of Albany International
Ph: (321) 427-8873, Fax: (321) 222-1330 Email: daniel.flynn@navtechradar.com Web: www.vtr-tech.com Navtech Radar has been a leading manufacturer of security radars since 1999. Radar is the most effective perimeter surveillance technology for airports, because of the flat terrain and line of sight. Ten European airports are using Navtech, and the FCC has recently opened the frequency for use in U.S. airports.
Premier CPG (Construction Products Group) Mr. Claudio Manissero, President P.O. Box 3112, Huntersville, NC 28070 Ph: 704-907-5463 Email: cmanissero@premiermagnesia.com Web: www.premiercpg.com Premier CPG supplies novel specialty concrete admixtures to prevent shrinkage cracking, prevent curling and increase durability of concrete. Company also supplies novel green cements and products for construction at terminals that assist in meeting LEED requirements and fast setting patching cements for rapid repairs of runways and taxiways.
ServiceTec International, Inc. Mr. Philip McDonough Title: Director of Business Development 12007 Sunrise Valley Dr., Ste. 355 Reston, VA 20191 Ph: (703) 259-4015, Fax: (703) 259-4001 Email: philip.mcdonough@servicetec.com Web: www.servicetec.com ServiceTec provides comprehensive Managed IT Services system solutions to ensure reliability, increase efficiency, contain costs and enhance customer satisfaction. We work with many of the world’s largest and busiest airports to deliver services tailored to meet their specific requirements and objectives, synergizing our knowledge and expertise with their unique environment.
Airport as Operations Supervisor, where he was tasked with ensuring the safe and efficient operation of the Airport. Prior to his employment at Albany, Mr. Johnson attended Florida Institute of Technology where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management as well as his Commercial Pilot and Certified Flight Instructor certificates. Mr. Johnson will be based in the Albany office and will be assisting with ongoing projects as well as providing aviation-related expertise for the firm. Ms. Kara Lentz has been named a Senior Project Manager in the aviation group of Parsons Brinckerhoff. In her new position, Ms. Lentz will be responsible for managing all airport design and construction activities in the Rocky Mountain states region. Prior to joining Parsons Brinckerhoff, she was a Senior Project Manager for the aviation division of a major consulting firm. Her recent project experience includes managing the startup, scoping and planning for a $500 million airport redevelopment program at Denver International Airport. Prior to her Denver work, Ms. Lentz was at Dulles International Airport as lead project manager/resident engineer for a 15-gate terminal expansion and automated people mover station at concourse B. Lentz will be based in the firm’s Denver office.
o u t & a b o u t w i t h ACC
DELTA AIRPORT
CONSULTANTS, INC. w w w. d e l t a a i r p o r t . c o m
on the horizon…
Congratulations to Angela Gittens, Director General, ACI World Recipient of the 2012 ACC Aviation Award of Excellence
Loews Ventana Canyon Tucson, AZ
November 11 – 13, 2013 www.ACConline.org
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cover story GITTENS continued from page 1
because airlines — due to liberalization — are able to make route and route frequency choices on short notice. Airlines have become pretty successful at making their costs more variable so that they have more flexibility, so that each plane can be counted on to make a certain amount of money and they can quickly choose which markets will be most lucrative. Even some public airports in the U.S. have become kind of corporatized, somewhat analogous to what has happened in the rest of the world. Even if they are part of the government, their relationship with the airlines has had to shift and many of them are operating as quasi-businesses.
ACI World Director General Angela Gittens
Related to some extent, the financial squeeze on airlines and their embrace of technology has enabled airlines to reduce service the same. They’ll have their own stamp on to their passengers. Airlines have pretty it. You’re starting to see it in Latin America much retreated to just serving passengers with some of the mergers of carriers from on the airplane. There’s more self-service different countries creating global carriers. and fewer airline employees at airports, so There’s a lot of growth in some of these when unusual situations occur, the airline countries. The U.S. and Western Europe is no longer available to take care of the are dealing with slow growth and a mature passenger. Similarly, in these situations, the market, but there is a whole lot of growth airline is no longer there to plan and work in Eastern Europe and non-EU Europe. with airports. The airport has increasingly There’s double-digit growth in places like had to take or assume more control over the Turkey and Russia. Obviously, there is overall platform. It’s a strange situation be- steady growth in Brazil. Some of this growth cause while the airport has to do more with has slowed, but it has slowed down to eight the passenger, they don’t know who these percent, not two percent! China and India passengers are. That is their conundrum. If are obviously two huge markets that are they are going to assume more responsibility just developing, but you are going to see it for the passengers at their airport, they need elsewhere as well. For your membership, this to start learning who these people are and means there’s a whole big world out there what it is they want. I see that as a trend. and a lot of openness to change and doing Whether by default or entrepreneurial spirit, things differently. airports are going to be in the position of assuming more care and concern for the pas- ACC: What are the biggest issues that ACI senger experience, and learning more about World is currently working on, and which those passengers and technology is going to do you believe will be resolved in the shortcontinue to enable that. versus long-term? ACC: Are there other future trends you
see impacting airports?
AG: The biggest thing that we’re working
on is helping airports in developing countries to improve their management and opAG: Yes. I think we’re going to see more erations, particularly with regards to safety. liberalization in route selections. There are We have historically produced manuals, still some large pockets of the market that guidance and training in all these areas, but are not very liberalized. Africa and, frankly, we’re now going further. Guidance manuals Canada is another. There are parts of Asia are now available in more languages, and that are not too liberalized. As these mar- our training offerings have quadrupled in kets come along with the rise of the middle the last three years. We are now working class, you are going to see a proliferation of on the Airport Excellence (APEX) safety change, and change in these countries versus program, where we have peer review site the U.S. and Europe will not necessarily be visits to help airports identify and address
their safety vulnerabilities. The airports that want the peer reviews really see it as an advantage and are often in countries without the rigorous safety oversight that the U.S. has. Particularly when there are not a lot of airports, let alone international airports, in a country, it is hard to have a roster of inspectors. Beyond guidance, this peer review helps airports identify the steps they need to take to gain certification within their country or regain certification if they have lost it. We’ve had a lot of interest from the civil aviation authorities — because, while this is not an audit, it covers much of what is needed in an audit. And whether you call it an audit or peer assistance, the objective is improved safety performance. The airport needs to be — at the very least — a convener for the various stakeholders on the airport. You can’t just look at what you, the airport operator, are responsible for. You need to look at what the ground operators are doing; what the airlines are doing; what the concessionaires are doing; what all the pieces are doing because it all goes to the safety performance of the airport. We’re advocating airports setting up runway safety teams so that they communicate on a regular basis and have all of these different players identify their safety issues and have a forum where those issues can be resolved. We finished the pilot program and just launched the full implementation. We’re starting small, but we’re gaining momentum. ACC: How does ACI World interface with
the FAA and ICAO since they too are committed to providing safety-related guidance and assistance? AG: We are talking to the FAA and they
have offered to help us, so we are figuring out the most strategic and tactical way to take advantage of their offer. Perhaps they could help by training safety inspectors, since they have a very strong safety inspection component. They have already been very supportive in terms of conferences and helping us with guidance material and they have definitely become front and center on the APEX program. Meanwhile, ICAO has become more interested in implementation. That’s something useful for your members to know. As a result, they have been much more engaged with industry. As a UN body, they can make policy, can do audits and report out deficiencies and See GITTENS on page 16
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Consulting, Winter 2012 – 2013
www.ACConline.org
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GITTENS continued from page 16
lack of compliance, but they need industry and government to start doing things. They welcome this kind of initiative and they have been extremely supportive of APEX. We signed a memorandum of cooperation on safety with ICAO where we have mutual assistance and share data, including with their Technical Cooperation Bureau. ICAO has the means to start providing airports with some of the assistance necessary and that could be through some of your members. ACC: Do you have any specific ideas about
how ACI World and ACC can collaborate going forward?
ACI World Director General Angela Gittens
AG: With APEX. As we launch further
into this, I think we’re going to be looking finance,’ do you see funding becoming avail- stated. Airports as entities have to be seen as beyond just airport experts to help on these able in response to these needs? businesses. They have to compete. They are peer review visits, and we’ll be looking not monopolies. Only about 30 percent of to the wider portfolio of experts, which AG: I do. For instance, by dealing with airports turn a profit1. Airports are strategic includes many of your members. We’d like and developing a close relationship with community assets that produce great exterto draw upon your members as resources the ICAO Technical Cooperation Bureau, nalities. Although the airport itself doesn’t to tell airports when to seek mitigation for we can start working with them to identify necessarily profit from the externality, the certain issues. One of the things that is really needs from our point-of-view. Our respec- community does. So, airports need to be reneeded is planning. These airports can get tive lists may not be the same because their garded as strategic assets, as businesses, and help with the ‘doing’ — a new terminal, a clients are the governments of these coun- their right to impose rates and charges to facility — but they need help with planning tries, but I think to the extent that we as ACI recover their costs and return on investment because it is lacking and is harder to come World can get into some of these airports and needs to be protected. by. I’d like to see these airports get the kind help the airport identify their needs, we can of advanced planning that they are not get- be another voice that says, ‘Before you do Most airports subsidize their aeronautical ting from the resource agencies. that, why don’t you do this first?’ Everybody business, so rates and charges on airlines likes a shiny, new terminal, but maybe they — system wide — only cover about 27 perACC: So, ACI may be able to involve ACC need a wildlife abatement program or new cent of the cost of providing those services. members in these APEX initiatives? fencing or a habitat mitigation program and Airports need to get that money from somethat would actually help them more. where, and most have pretty strict limits on AG: That’s right. We need to identify the what they can charge airlines for competitive details of how that collaboration would It’s subtle, but I think the relationship- reasons. These airlines will pick up and go if work. We are forming our database, but building that is coming from these programs they can save a dollar somewhere else and we’ve seen that some airports are uncom- is the key. It’s not just the visit. The visit is still make the revenue. fortable with having a private company obviously very important, but we airports involved, depending on the situation. So, have put ourselves out there and said we will Airlines have had the sense that all money we still need to work that out. I think that take some of the responsibility for the safety earned at the airport is theirs, and that airis going to be a feature, but I think we in our industry. Helping to be a solution ports aren’t businesses that need to generate would have to identify the role that those provider builds the relationship and cred- funds in order to make capital investments participants would play. For example, when ibility, and with that you start to have some and pay for their operations. It’s like the we have ICAO present on these visits, they influence on how these resource decisions youngest child in a family growing up. The are ICAO auditors using their auditing skill, get made. older siblings and all the relatives have a but not in an ICAO audit capacity, so they hard time recognizing that this child is now do not report findings back to ICAO. So, we Safety is the most important thing we do, an adult. There are a number of players in need a person available in the capacity of an but I think the other thing that ACI is really the air transport industry and airports need expert, not as a private consultant. engaged in is getting airports accepted as to be seen as equals. businesses in their own right, not just public ACC: It’s obvious that there is a lot of providers of local infrastructure. Airports — ACC: What advice do you have for U.S. need, but because so often ‘form follows and not just ones that have been privatized firms looking to work globally? Please — are businesses for some of the reasons I’ve speak to the reverse as well, since ACC has See GITTENS on page 18
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Top-Flight Leadership
Terry A. Ruhl, PE, F. ASCE, former Board of Directors Chair for the Airport Consultants Council, has been promoted to President of CH2M HILL’s No. 4 Engineering News-Record ranked Transportation business.
Dwight H. Pullen, Jr. has been promoted to Director of CH2M HILL’s global Aviation practice, which includes our new airports and air transport colleagues who joined the firm with the acquisition of United Kingdom-based Halcrow Group. Dwight is supported in his Aviation leadership role by a veteran team with more than 100 years of combined industry experience: Knute Ruggaard, Business Development; Bill Peduzzi, Operations; David Rose, Technology; and David Stader, International.
CH2M HILL Congratulates Angela Gittens ACI World Director General 2012 ACC Aviation Award of Excellence
ch2mhill.com/aviation
GITTENS continued from page 16
member firms in Africa, Russia, Germany, Indonesia and Canada and are looking to do work in the U.S. AG: I’m going to take the second part
of that question first. What I notice about non-U.S. firms trying to do business in the U.S. market is that they find it very confusing. When coming to the U.S., it’s important to understand and appreciate that you are dealing with a hybrid situation of government that is able to act like private sector in certain capacities, yet airports are still public entities. They have a lot of private sector features like — the most important one — the ability to raise capital. That is the biggest difference between the U.S. and most other countries. Airports are able to enter the capital market and do so successfully. One of the reasons for frustration and confusion is that the U.S. is the capitalist center of the world and hasn’t privatized their airports. The reason is that they have not had the problem that has led to privatization in other countries — access to capital. However, they do have to play by governmental rules. This unique arrangement is not always easily understood. U.S. firms going abroad will find a mixture of true government that does not act like the private sector — highly political, highly bureaucratic — and alternatively, private-sector arrangements and procurement practices. Consulting firms have to learn the specific process. Pay attention and attend regional conferences in international markets. Meeting these airports as well as other businesses is the key for many ACC member firms. Consultants need to be able to deal with many of the local, regional and national businesses in order to do business in that country. Otherwise, it can be too expensive for all but the largest firms to understand the culture and system, to travel to these countries, and to get a foothold and truly understand how things work.
markets. In some places — Latin America, Africa, to some extent Asia — our airport members pay a lot of attention to the exhibitions at conferences because the companies at these events don’t necessarily market to smaller countries.
ACC: It’s fascinating to hear your thoughts on
the industry, because 20 years ago this conversation would have been very different.
ACC: You’ve given us a wealth of infor-
AG: Very different, yes. I just read an article
mation, but before we let you go, do you have specific advice for U.S. airports?
about Pittsburgh because the terminal is 20 years old. When this was being planned — more than 20 years ago — who would have thought what the changes in the industry could have brought? It’s certainly difficult for airports to be flexible and resilient because they are place-bound, but they have got to gain as much resilience as possible and make decisions that properly position them if there is change. You don’t know what the change is going to be. I’ve outlined here what I think, but there is so much disruption from technology and other issues that trajectories can change all the time in this business.
AG: Yes. U.S. airports really need to
start accepting their position as leaders on the airport platform for some of the reasons I described earlier, and some have been doing just that. But U.S. airports have leases with airlines, so the airline then controls space and gates and terminal facilities. This is not the case in the rest of the world. As a result, U.S. airports have tended to distance themselves from responsibility for those activities. Part of the reason for this is the state of civil liability in the U.S. It’s a different legal system, but I think U.S. airports need to assume more leadership for the passenger experience at the airport, similar to what is happening in other parts of the world. The trend of airlines shrinking their responsibility is going to continue, and some airports need to look at the practice of leasing space and handing over control to specific airlines, putting themselves and their communities in the hands of companies that are very flexible and can pick up and go at any time. Why sign into
Also, there are a lot of opportunities, and not just at the largest airports. That’s why things like APEX, training courses, or otherwise meeting people and networking becomes very important. It’s a very low-cost way to start to understand the
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a lease that does not bind the other party, but does bind you?
Consulting, Winter 2012 – 2013
An airport has to try to be as flexible as possible. Most of the costs are fixed. It’s hard to make this a variable cost business, but you must avoid decisions that will only work if nothing changes. It’s difficult because you are dealing with communities and businesses that don’t understand or encounter the risks you’re taking. But airports — and U.S. airports in particular — must really position themselves as resilient businesses.
This statistic comes from the ACI Airport Economics Survey 2011.
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Congratulations Angela Gittens ACC 2012 Aviation Award of Excellence Recipient From Miami International Airport
www.miami-airport.com
Upcoming ACC Events For event details and registration, go to www.ACConline.org or call (703) 683-5900. More courses are anticipated. Stay tuned to www.ACConline.org for updates. For more information email T.J. Schulz, ACC: TJS@ACConline.org.
ACC Events February 6 – 8, 2013
ACC/AAAE Airport Planning, Design and Construction Symposium
New Orleans, LA
July 16, 2013
ACC Security Capabilities Day
Arlington, VA
July 17 – 18, 2013
ACC Summer Workshop Series
Arlington, VA
November 11 – 13, 2013
ACC Annual Conference and Exhibition
Tucson, AZ
December 3 – 4, 2012
ACC Global Business Summit
Washington, DC
March 5 – 6, 2013
ACC Construction Administration and Observation Training Course
Memphis, TN
www.ACConline.org
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2012 Global Business Summit December 3 – 4, 2012 Begins Monday at 1 PM . Includes Monday evening reception and all-day Tuesday.
Washington, D.C.
SAVE THE DATE PRELIMINARY TOPICS
»» What’s It Like Out There? Global Markets and Lessons Learned »» A Better Way to Pay? Privatization and Public Private Partnerships »» Teaming for Success The Global/Local Balance »» Lost in Translation Knowing the Language and Culture »» How Much is Too Much? The International Design Competition »» Know Before You Go Safety, Security, Travel Logistics and Legal Issues »» With a Little Help from Your Friends Government Agencies and International Monetary Support
SEE THE WORLD “I attended the first ACC Globalization Conference a number of years ago. International work now represents over 60 percent of our firm’s revenue. We have used techniques discussed during the conference to minimize fee risks and therefore have no horror stories to share!”
—Mike Kluttz, President, Robert and Company “We’re very pleased by the participant feedback and success of the 2011 event. Any company that is doing work or interested in doing work internationally should attend this event.”
—David Stader, Aviation Program Manager, CH2M HILL, 2011 Global Business Summit Lead
»» The ACC Global Airport Development Toolkit Your Guide to Success
www.ACConline.org
Steering Committee Steve Riano, L ead, Bechtel Steve Pelham, V ice Lead, RS&H
Globalization Committee Mike DeVoy, Chair, RW Armstrong David Stader, V ice Chair, CH2M HILL
For more information contact Paula Hochstetler, ACC President paulah@ACConline.org