“I am a boomerang.
I worked at Hanson for 10 years, left and then returned. I came back because of Hanson’s commitment to excellence, not only in serving clients, but in supporting employees.”
Todd Merrihew
Aviation services
Staying ahead of the dramatic changes shaping the aviation industry requires innovative planning. We see your needs, and with our extensive history of advancing planning and development initiatives for airports and private developers large and small, we work with you to meet them. Through a comprehensive array of planning, engineering, construction support and consulting services including our SMART airports initiative, our team will help you achieve your goals.
We advocate for you
You need a proactive partner who will bring you project and development ideas, innovations, best practices and lessons learned. Whether we’re offering creative solutions to your land development planning and lease management obstacles; getting our hands dirty for a geotechnical challenge; tackling a drainage issue; rehabilitating runways, taxiways, aprons and roadways for more efficient use; or providing alternative project delivery solutions, such as design-build as a registered general contractor — you can trust our skilled engineers and planners as your advisers.
With the increased opportunity for additional federal and state funds available to aviation clients, the Hanson team has been at the forefront of advocating for you. Our aviation grant writing group taps traditional grant programs and identifies alternative revenue solutions and potential innovative sources of revenue.
At the forefront of aviation technology and trends
Through our SMART airports services, we’re preparing airports to benefit from emerging technologies and new funding opportunities in airport energy, sustainability and resiliency. Whether it involves vertiport planning, energy audits and roadmaps for transitioning to airport electrification and energy independence, commissioning or retro-commissioning efforts to optimize building system efficiencies or developing a proactive software with built-in smart and intuitive tools for mixed asset management, we are ready to help you navigate the key initiatives facing the aviation industry.
Watch your development take off
We understand that you need pragmatic and implementable solutions. Airport operators and aviation clients trust our team to solve their operational challenges and bridge the gaps between planning and successful delivery.
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- Airport facilities
Your airport’s needs are constantly evolving based on emerging trends and technologies, so you need a consultant whose approach is rooted in a deep understanding of the demanding airport environment. We provide facility designs that are functional and designed for the future. From T-hangar designs to new terminals, we look to bring cost-effective, cutting-edge innovations to each of your projects.
Indy South Greenwood Airport North Hangar, Greenwood, Indiana Our aviation team specializes in airport facility development, with a focus on the design and construction of terminals, hangars, snow removal (SRE) storage and aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) facilities. With decades of experience in the aviation industry, we’re committed to delivering user-friendly, innovative and sustainable solutions that meet your unique needs while adhering to industry best practices.
We also understand that financing can be one of the most challenging aspects of facility development. That’s why we help you navigate the complexities of funding opportunities, including grant assistance to support your projects. Our team is experienced in identifying and applying for federal, state and local grants, helping to reduce your financial burden and accelerate your project timelines.
Your goals are our top priority, and we work closely with you to understand your objectives and tailor our work to your needs. Our team is dedicated to delivering practical solutions that stand the test of time while blending functionality with aesthetic appeal. We emphasize durability, flexibility and scalability to accommodate your growth and technological advancements. Your project isn’t complete until your goals have been met.
Todd Merrihew, P.E. (IL, OH)
Senior vice president, aviation market principal
Mobile phone: (312) 543-7102
Email: tmerrihew@hanson-inc.com
Kevin Fuhr
Vice president and aviation business development director
Office phone: (630) 368-2081
Mobile phone: (312) 259-5007
Email: kfuhr@hanson-inc.com- Airport management and administration
Managing your airport from day to day is a complex task, with numerous facets to consider in addition to your standard operations. Our former airport managers understand the issues you face and can help you develop a business plan, including coordinating stakeholder outreach and facility assessments; identifying strategic initiatives and alternatives to meet them; developing a framework for a rebranding and marketing plan; and conducting aviation and nonaviation airport property and operational and feasibility assessments, including strategies for improving your airport’s bottom line.
We have assumed numerous airport management and operations roles for our clients in need of interim airport management help, and we have managed and operated the Bult Field, the future home of the South Suburban Airport, under contract to the State of Illinois since 2017.
Setting you up for a secure future
We help you position your airport for success by evaluating and updating your leasing policies, developing mission and vision statements and providing best practice recommendations for management, administration, property development, operations and safety and security. We work with you to establish rates-and-charges policies and develop key performance indicator dashboards to help you drive solid business decisions.
Our experience includes advising clients on the proper use of a public-private partnership, developing a solid financial business case analysis, identifying funding sources for capital development and offering sell- and buy-side public-private partnership (P3) due diligence services and innovative project delivery methods that help you make the most of your P3 strategies. Our grant writing group excels in finding, applying for and resourcing the many available innovative federal and state grant funding buckets.”
ACRP guidebooks
Furthermore, we bring an enhanced understanding of small airports from our work to update and rewrite the Airport Cooperative Research Program’s Research Report 16: Guidebook for Managing Small Airports, which allowed us to connect with the nationwide small-airport community and identify key issues to address or expand in the guidebook. This book represents a compendium of best practices and practical advice for airport management in an easy-to-use digital format, with links to policies, regulations and best practices. It’s written to target the needs of airports ranging in size from small-hub commercial service to single-runway general aviation.
Our airport business-planning practice is set up to offer our clients value beyond our traditional technical services. By helping you make the most of your airport assets and your share of local capital development dollars, we can help you improve your bottom line.
Blake Swafford, P.E. (FL, GA)
Regional vice president, aviation
Office phone: (407) 622-2050
Mobile phone: (678) 410-0170
Email: bswafford@hanson-inc.com- Civil airside and landside
To function at a high level, your airport needs a seamless integration of its airside and landside infrastructure to enhance operational capacity and passenger experience. Our aviation team’s comprehensive knowledge of runways, taxiways and aprons, along with terminals, parking and roadways, allows us to provide civil design services tailored to your goals.
Cuba Municipal Airport runway rehabilitation and lighting, Cuba, Missouri Our proactive approach to supporting your airport goes beyond technical solutions. We focus on understanding your needs and formulating designs that incorporate industry trends, meet state and federal requirements and address possible future challenges while considering national best practices, operational efficiency and sustainability. We’ve gained a wealth of insights from our work with airports of all sizes, and that knowledge is key to elevating your results.
We also keep your project ahead of evolving industry trends by closely monitoring changes in Federal Aviation Administration guidelines, state regulations and emerging technologies. When you choose us, you gain a partner committed to delivering what you need. From planning to design and implementation, our comprehensive approach is focused on you.
Joe Worley, P.E. (GA, IL, IN, IA, KY, LA, TN, WV)
Assistant vice president, regional aviation lead
Office phone: (317) 803-8964
Mobile phone: (317) 850-7100
Email: jworley@hanson-inc.com
Barry Stolz, P.E. (AR, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, MO, OH)
Assistant vice president, regional aviation lead
Office phone: (314) 942-5288
Mobile phone: (314) 707-6863
Email: bstolz@hanson-inc.com
Kevin Fuhr
Vice president and Aviation Business Development Director
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Our services
Elevate your navigation
We have numerous ways of helping you keep your airport a place where pilots and travelers alike can confidently and comfortably navigate.
thought leadership
Our services
Are you ready for liftoff?
From runway extensions to terminal design and SMART airport planning, we can give your vision wings.
Our services
Eyes on the horizon
Planning is critical to the future of your airport. Our specialists can help you formulate a long-term plan for your airport that balances future innovations with your facility’s specific needs.