AirportConsulting
Spring 2008

Cover Story
The 7 Hidden Reasons Employees Leave
By Leigh Branham, Founder/CEO, Keeping the People, Inc.
A survey released last year by the Advanced Management Institute for Architecture & Engineering confirmed what most of us already know — the supply of graduates and experienced design professionals has declined. More alarmingly, AMI forecasts that half the design workforce may retire by 2010. In a Design Firm Management and Administration Report released by IOMA last year, 100% of firms with revenues over $50 million agreed that “recruiting and employee retention” was their number one concern ...full story

Special Feature
Enhancing Opportunities for Disadvantage Business Enterprises (DBEs) and Prime Consultants
By Ollie W. Dowell, Communications Consultant, AMAC
Airport development needs are staggering, and it’s likely that the total amount of funding for airport capital projects will increase substantially in the foreseeable future. This provides plenty of opportunities and challenges for airport consulting firms of all sizes. Prime consulting firms and Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs) have unprecedented opportunities for future growth and success if they proceed wisely and collaborate effectively ...full story

Consultant Perspective
Feeding the Pipeline for Airport Development Careers
By Dr. David Byer, President, Quadrex Associates
Looking back at the beginning of his airport development career 30 years ago, Evan Futterman, Aviation Services Chairman for HNTB recalls that his original goal as he graduated from high school was to be a pilot. He chose an aviation college and progressed through his course work. Along the way, while flying was fun (and expensive), one of his professors teaching airport planning and design inspired him to consider airport consulting as another career choice. After graduating, Futterman sent resumes to every consulting firm he could find addresses for. Eager to pick up such talent for a very reasonably salary, TransPlan (later acquired by Day & Zimmerman) offered him his first break in the business. He later joined HNTB, where he recently celebrated his 27th anniversary with the firm ...full story

Executive Update
Setting the Stage for the Next 30 Years
By Michael J. DeVoy, P.E., RW Armstrong, ACC 2008 Board of Governors Chair
ACC is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. We are a relatively young organization, but ACC has certainly come a long way. Airport consultants and suppliers have changed, as has our industry, and have helped affect that change ...full story

After All...
AIP in Hiatus: How to Prepare in Uncertain Times
By Jim Borsari, Senior Aviation Consultant, Reynolds, Smith & Hills, Inc.
We have all been waiting for months for the federal government to extend AIP. When AIP eventually becomes available, it may come quickly, and the difference between getting a project funded or being passed over to another year will depend on how an airport and its consultants prepare. What can airports do to position themselves in uncertain times? ...full story

Table of Contents

ACC Executive Member Spotlight: Arora Engineers, Inc.

ACC Associate Member Spotlight: SITA Airport Desktop Services

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