CHA’s Aviation Insights: Spotlighting Our People, Projects, and Clients | Issue 16
Employee Interview Pages 4
Alex Curtice | Sr Engineering Designer
Client Spotlight Pages 6
Akron-Canton Regional Airport (CAK)
Awards & Good News Pages 10-11
By: Steve Lawrence
I’m a big fan of Craig Groeschel’s Leadership Podcast (craiggroeschel. com). Here are some highlights from 6 Habits Great Leaders Avoid (episodes 169 and 171). I encourage you to take a listen!
The Habit of Doing Too Much
✓ Doing too much not only steals your energy but also suffocates your productivity. It seems counterintuitive, but you don’t grow by doing more, you grow by doing more of what matters most.
The Habit of Avoiding Conflict
✓ Change your mindset so that conflict doesn’t mean the end of a relationship, but rather it’s an opportunity to strengthen the relationship. Don’t be afraid of conflict. Be afraid of unresolved conflict.
The Habit of Doing What You’ve Always Done
✓ This quote is attributed to Henry Ford: “If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always got.” No matter what you do, do it with intentionality.
The Habit of Micromanaging
✓ Micromanagers destroy trust within their teams, stifle leadership development, and increase employee turnover. If a good leader can’t lead, the good leader won’t stay.
The Habit of Hiding
✓ People would rather have a leader who is genuine and human, even if they make mistakes. We may impress people with our strengths, but we connect with them through our weaknesses.
The Habit of Hesitation
✓ The best leaders are decisive leaders. However, many leaders struggle with hesitation due to fear, uncertainty, or perfectionism. Hesitation drains momentum and destroys morale. It leads to missed opportunities, diminished trust, and organizational stagnation.
We are thrilled to introduce our newest team members who have joined the CHA aviation group. Each of them brings unique skills and experiences that will undoubtedly contribute to our ongoing projects and overall success.
We encourage all of you to reach out, introduce yourselves, and offer a warm welcome to our newest team members.
Cole Brown Engineer I Colonie, NY WELCOME BACK!
Robert Powers Resident Engineer II Providence, RI WELCOME BACK!
Worthy Engineer I Atlanta, GA
What a year it was! This year’s report is filled with data points and details of how CHA’s project teams, our communities and people, and our company culture help us continue to raise the bar on what is possible in our sustainability journey. Read it for yourself…CHA’s 2024 Sustainability Report . Everyone at CHA plays a part in this story! Thank you for helping us reach for a greener future!
Please help us in recognizing and celebrating the dedication and hard work of these CHA aviation employees. Their commitment and contributions over the years have been instrumental in driving our success and growth.
Thank you for your unwavering dedication and for being an integral part of our team!
Alex has been with CHA since 2022. Manager, Rob LaFayette, says, “Alex came to us from HDR, and quickly became not just an asset to the Planning group, but Alex has taken on designer roles on multiple projects across the Aviation group. Such an incredible attitude to have on our team, always willing to help anyone and everyone. Alex helps us define the culture of what it means to be CHA Aviation.”
Q: What is the one thing you cannot resist?
A: A good burger. Or any burger for that matter. It can be simple or complex but always must include cheese.
Q: Where is the best place you’ve traveled to and why?
A: My wife and I honeymooned in Greece, and it was an amazing trip. We got to visit the history of Athens and walk marble sidewalks and then finish the trip staying at a resort with a view of the caldera in Santorini.
Q: What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t doing this?
A: If it didn’t come with crazy hours I would love to work as a chef. I love learning new recipes and trying new flavor profiles. I am forever on the hunt to create the perfect sauce (think dipping/burger topping).
Q: Tell us something that might surprise us about you.
A: I’m not sure if this is surprising or not, I don’t talk about
it a lot, but I’m a huge Nintendo nerd. While I don’t have time to play games anymore, I do like to keep up with how the company is doing and what they are releasing.
Q: If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
A: Juggle. I have been practicing on and off for years and still can’t get it down.
Q: What is something you learned in the last week?
A: Our almost 4-year-old daughter is a treasure trove of information. Did you know that snails have over 14,000 teeth on their tongue?!
Q: What’s your favorite indoor/outdoor activity?
A: When I’m able to get the time to mow the lawn. It’s perfect me-time where I can turn on a podcast or some non-Disney music and decompress.
Q: What is the first concert you attended?
A: Barenaked Ladies. At one point in the past I was able to sing/rap the entirety of One Week. I still know all the words, but my mouth cannot move fast enough to get them out!
Q: What music is on your iPhone/Android phone?
A: Mostly the Frozen and Frozen II soundtrack. My daughter’s best friend is Elsa and the whole family sing-alongs to every song. I get to sing Kristoff’s parts!
Q: What chore do you absolutely hate doing?
A: Anything that has to do with our dog. There are so many other priorities in the household that the dog tasks usually end up becoming an afterthought but “stuff” piles up real quick if you let that happen!
We’ve enjoyed getting to know our interns this summer. This year’s theme was “Your Future Starts Here.” We hope we helped you to connect, discover, experience, and prepare for your careers beyond college. We just know you’re going to fly high!
Congratulations to these team members on obtaining professional credentials. We are proud of your achievement. Well done!
SP
TN
FE
IN
Q: Thanks for meeting with us today. Please tell us a little about yourself.
A: I have a degree in civil engineering. After graduation, I did some civil work – roadway, geotech investigations, and structural for various companies. I started at RW Armstrong (now CHA) back in 2002. While I was at RWA/CHA, I worked at CAK and got to know the airport staff very well. They approached me with a job offer in 2021, and I ended up taking the position in 2023. I am now the Vice President of Landside, Planning, & Infrastructure; which is a nice way of saying I run the projects here!
Q: You worked for RWA/CHA for nearly 15 years. How did that experience as being a consultant with our company prepare you for your current role on the owner side as Vice President of Landside, Planning and Infrastructure of the CAK?
A: My experience working on the consultant side has helped me tremendously in my current role on the owner’s side. It’s helped me understand the work of engineering firms and managing multiple consultants effectively. I currently work with 7 consultants! There are pros and cons on both the owner’s and consultant’s sides. The airport is a 24-hour job which can be challenging with constant emails and phone calls, but it’s nice working in a single location for my family. As for the consultant side, you never know which projects you’ll be working on, and because the construction phase can take you to many different locations, you lose out on time with family.
Q: Tell us about the current and upcoming infrastructure projects here at CAK. Which couple of projects are the most critical to the airport’s success?
A: We’ve got various current and upcoming infrastructure projects at the airport; and of course, we categorize these by priority as our needs change. These include projects related to elevators, escalators, rooftop units, chillers, boilers, and the relocation of the airfield/terminal electrical vault. In addition, we’ve got an issue with the airport’s fire suppression system, and we will need to connect to a new pump house provided by North Canton. We also plan to improve various parking lots at the airport; and we’ve got a vision for expanding the South de-icing pad to better service the airport’s fleet and accommodate future growth due to the dramatic increase in our overnight departures. The level of importance of all these projects changes monthly and even weekly as our commercial flights continue to grow. Finally, we need a master plan update for the airport, which is necessary for various reasons, including the expansion of the terminal and the relocation of the tower.
Q: How has the announcement for a base operation by Breeze affected your short term and long-term plans for infrastructure development? How has this impacted the airport and the other airline tenants?
A: The rapid growth of Breeze Airways is impacting the airport’s short-term and long-term plans, including the need for additional office space and storage. Eventually, the mechanical and parts staff are going to need an area even if it means repurposing the old Crash Fire Rescue Building on the north side of the terminal. In addition, the airport has chosen to move American to Gates 1 and 2 (where Breeze currently boards) and Breeze to Gates 7, 8 and 9 (where American currently boards). This entails a lot of coordination between the airport’s IT staff and the IT staff with American and Breeze so they can all make sure that the ports and cabling are in place at the booths so there is a seamless transition during the move. Those are just a couple of examples, but as you can see, a lot of coordination is involved with several different parties.
Q: A big reason we are doing this is to give insight to our staff into what is important to our aviation clients. Recently, CHA has worked on and/or completed several different tasks for CAK from airfield lighting design to environmental assessments. From your perspective, what are the most important things you and your colleagues need from your airport consultant?
A: One of the most important items the airport staff looks for in a consultant is the continuing knowledge of the airport shared between airport and consultant. The airport needs to know the airport property. If not, how can we expect the consultant to always get every single design decision correct? Conversely, once the consultant has that knowledge of the airport, it’s important that they continue to develop that knowledge, so their designs are clear for the contractor to reduce the risk in the bids. As for choosing consultants, we typically have the same main players submitting on most of our projects – RS&H, HDR, Woolpert, C&S and CHA. Everybody knows that any of the five consultants can do the job, but what keeps CHA above the others, in my opinion, is your knowledge of the airport and always being forward-thinking and proactive.
Gross Bonus Amounts:
• $1,000 - For a referral and hire of a full-time role requiring no prior professional work experience role.
• $2,000 - For a referral and hire of a full-time role requiring 1-3 years of professional work experience.
• $4,000 - For a referral and hire of a full-time role requiring 4 or more years of professional work experience.
• An additional $1,000 bonus with be awarded for referrals of Licensed Engineers and Project Managers.
In addition, to support our ongoing commitment to sustainable communities and a sustainable workforce, CHA will make a $250 charitable contribution, of the referrer’s choosing from the below list, for each referral made this calendar year.
Boys and Girls Clubs of America
American Cancer Society
Ronald McDonald House
Habitat For Humanity
National Humane Society
The Nature Conservancy
Feeding America
For more information, please visit the Network of CHAmpions page here
If you or anyone you know is interested in these positions, please refer to our website listing to apply.
INSPECTOR
Job ID 7247 Providence, RI
RESIDENT ENGINEER I
Job ID 7221
Warwick, RI; Providence, RI; Albany, NY; Boston, MA; Rocky Hill, CT
ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE CONSULTANT
Job ID 7220
Providenct, RI; Boston, MA; Burlington, MA; Rocky Hill, CT; Keene, NH; Columbus, OH
PROJECT MANAGER
Job ID 7208
Winter Springs, FL
PROJECT ENGINEER
Job ID 7191 Cleveland, OH; Columbus, OH
CIVIL AVIATION ENGINEER
Job ID 7155 Columbus, OH
LEAD PROJECT ENGINEER
Job ID 7151
Knoxville, TN
CIVIL PROJECT ENGINEER
Job ID 7116 Providence, RI
AVIATION PLANNING SECTION MANAGER
Job ID 7111
Remote-Works from Home
CIVIL PROJECT ENGINEER
Job ID 7102 Indianapolis, IN
ELECTRICAL ENGINEER PE
Job ID 6952
Indianapolis, IN; Evansville, IN; Colonie, NY; Rochester, NY; Cleveland, OH; Columbus, OH; Atlanta, GA; Knoxville, TN; Doral, FL; Tampa, FL; Myrtle Beach, SC
SOUTHEAST CIVIL ENGINEER TEAM
LEADER AVIATION
Job ID 6927
Winter Springs, FL; Doral, FL
✓ Akron-Canton Airport, OH
CAK Runway 1-19 Rehabilitation
✓ Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky
CVG Global Logistics Park
✓ Monroe County, TN
MNV Airport Consulting Services (NEW CLIENT)
✓ Vermont Agency of Transportation, VT
Engineering Services
FSO Wildlife Fence & Environmental Permitting 6B0 Terminal Building
Anderson Municipal Airport, IN
✓ AID TO 18 General Services
Akron-Canton Airport, OH
✓ CAK Runway 1 - 19 Rehab Design
Albany International Airport, NY
✓ ALB Gate Evaluation A2 and RON
Blue Grass Airport, KY
✓ LEX Hanson Terminal Road Relocation CA
Bridgeport, CT
✓ BDR Wildlife Fence CA/CI Services
Bowling Green-Warren County Regional Airport, KY
✓ BWG TO 6 Rehabilitate & Reconstruct Twy C
DHL, KY
✓ CVGH B777 Hangar Pump Station Upgrades
Delaware, OH
✓ DLZ TO 5 Taxilane D E F CA/CI
Evansville-Vanderburgh Airport Authority, IN
✓ EVV TO 23 Rehabilitate & Realign Genot
✓ EVV TO 24 Replace Baggage Handling System
✓ EVV TO 26 Flight Line Drive Utility Extension
Fayetteville Regional Airport, NC
✓ FAY Control Tower Siting Study
✓ FAY Master Plan ALP Update
FedEx, IN
✓ Over & Under PVDR Final Site Des
✓ FedEx-INDH 123K Employee Parking Lot
Grissom-Aeroplex, IN
✓ GUS NPIAS & JUA Cont. Planning Services
Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority, TN
✓ TYS 2025 Airfield Pavement Index Update
✓ TYS Parking Garage Canopy Civil Design
✓ TYS Passenger Terminal Expansion
✓ TYS Plan and Engineering On - Call
Rhode Island Airport Corporation, RI
✓ PVD TO 3 Landside Parking Reconfiguration
✓ PVD TO 4 Gate 20 PBB Inf C/A Services
✓ RIAC TO 8 Environmental Regulatory Com
✓ RIAC TO 9 AST, SPCC & ECP Support
✓ PVD TO 10 RIPDES Permit Assistance
Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, OH
✓ TDZ WO 7 Reconstruct T – Hangar Taxilanes
Warsaw Municipal Airport, IN
✓ ASW TO 11 Rehab Runway 9 - 27 Design
✓ ASW TO 12 Taxiway A Basis of Design
Wayne County, OH
✓ BJJ TO 2 RW 10 - 28 Rehab CACI
Aug 26-28: AAAE Aviation Wildlife Management (Portland, OR)
✓ Simon Davies
Sept 15-18: Autodesk University (Nashville, TN)
✓ Stefan Kloss, Riley Richter
Sept 23-25: GLCAAAE Airport/Environmental Workshop (Rosemont, IL)
✓ Simon Davies, Mary Kerstein, Ashley Koutropoulos
Sept 23-26: NYAMA Annual (Clayton, NY)
✓ John DelBalso, Todd Ewell, Matt Florell
Sept 28-30: AAAE National (NAC) (Salt Lake City, UT)
✓ Paul Puckli, Mike DeVoy, Rob LaFayette
Oct 14-16: AAI Annual (South Bend, IN)
✓ Nikki Abney, Mary Kerstein, Rob LaFayette, Ethan Wayand
Oct 19-21: MAMA Annual (Hyannis, MA)
✓ John DelBalso, Taylor Koutropoulos
Oct 22-24: KAA Annual (Owensboro, KY)
✓ Casey Jones, Clint Weimer, Tucker Boes
AVN CoPs + ACC Webinars
✓ ACC Airfield Pavement Rehabilitation vs Reconstruction Webinar – 9/18
✓ ACC Baggage Handling 101 Webinar – 9/25
✓ ACC CSPP Webinar – 10/2
✓ ACC Complexities of Expansion Projects w/o Impacting Operations Webinar – 10/16
✓ Brown Bag: AAAE Rental Car Industry & Airport Workshop - Rahardja - 11/6
✓ ACC Airfield Pavement Webinar – 11/13
✓ ACC Obstruction Mitigation and Management Webinar – 11/20
✓ ACC Airfield Electrical 101 Webinar – TBD
✓ ACC Airfield Pavement Marking Webinar – TBD
LOOKING FOR LINKS TO WEBINAR RECORDINGS?
✓ ACC Webinars
✓ AVN Communities of Practice (CoP)
✓ AVN Plan Production Series (PPS)
Nominated by: Ranjit Bhandari
CHA’s Recognition by Design is a program designed to create a culture of recognition through providing both formal and informal avenues to celebrate contributions, hard work and successes; while also encouraging continued dialogue about the importance of recognition throughout the company. The program includes opportunities for recognition between peers; leaders and managers to individual contributors or teams, and Project Managers to project teams.
“Sean is an Engineer I in Indy TOFA team but goes above and beyond his general work duties to help the team meet the delivery targets. His unwavering positive attitude and willingness to assist others make him an invaluable asset to our team. He has become an integral part of the team already in the short career that he has had so far.”
Nominated by: Scott Crimmins
“The design team assigned to the TYS 5L-23R rehab project have worked very hard to prepare two bid projects within a compressed schedule. They all pulled together to meet a very compressed design schedule.”
Nominated by: Scott Crimmins & Jeremy Martelle
“The design team assigned to the TYS 5L-23R rehab project have worked very hard to prepare two bid projects within a compressed schedule. They all pulled together to meet a very compressed design schedule.” - Scott
“Dan is a highly valued member of our Cleveland team, whose influence extends throughout the entire aviation group. He consistently mentors our younger engineers, offering guidance and helping them develop their engineering skills. This mentorship has proven to be a significant asset, as Dan provides consistent training and imparts his seasoned engineering knowledge. Additionally, Dan plays a crucial role in our military projects, an essential market for us.”Jeremy
Nominated by: Jeremy Martelle
“We approached Matt and asked him to do a temporary assignment at PVD airport until we were able to find a person to fill the role. This type of assignment is really out of Matt’s comfort zone. Ultimately, he set aside his concerns and stepped up to help us and make sure the project could continue with CHA as the lead.”
Nominated by: Scott Crimmins
“The design team assigned to the TYS 5L-23R rehab project have worked very hard to prepare two bid projects within a compressed schedule. They all pulled together to meet a very compressed design schedule.”
Nominated by: Scott Crimmins
“The design team assigned to the TYS 5L-23R rehab project have worked very hard to prepare two bid projects within a compressed schedule. They all pulled together to meet a very compressed design schedule.”
Nominated by: Scott Crimmins
“Jalen assisted with the design of the TYS Runway Project that recently went out to bid. He worked extra hours to help get this project out the door.”
Please visit the Recognition by Design page here to learn more about the awards and offerings for your employees.
Everesting became a ‘thing’ for very avid cyclists during COVID. The challenge is simple: pick any hill and ride up and down, again and again, until your total elevation gain is 29,032 vertical feet (the height of Mount Everest) and complete it within 24 hours. For 2025, I set a goal to attempt an Everesting. After several 10-hour training rides this spring, I completed the challenge on July 5th. I rode a 1,215’ tall hill called Petersburg Pass, which separates NY from MA in the Taconic Mountains. I finish the 24 laps up & down the Pass just after midnight with a total ride time of about 17 hours. In hindsight, I would have done this challenge on a much cooler day, and before I was in my 60’s.
We recently gained KMNV as a General Aviation client in TN. They did an interview to spotlight my involvement as a local and the new events at the airport.
Sydney Hamilton | Knoxville, TN
the University of Evansville in the Fall pursuing a degree in Secondary Education - Mathematics.
Steve
We will improve the lives of our clients and co-workers by:
✓ Operating a sustainable business line that provides our aviation clients exceptional service and industry thought leadership.
✓ Being the most admired business line at CHA through outstanding performance, career advancement, and staff retention.
Definitions:
✓ Delivering quality service and solutions (95% client retention; add minimum of 2 potential CLAD clients/year)
✓ Providing career opportunities through sustainable growth (5-10% NSR growth/year)
✓ Retaining our valued aviation employees (top industry quartile)
✓ Performing as a highly effective and efficient business line (MU > 2.0)
FINDING A BETTER WAY.
