Jeff Loeschen Bio:
As an architect with Alliiance (formerly Architectural Alliance), Jeff Loeschen, AIA, LEED AP has 15 years of experience in aviation planning and design while providing design team leadership and innovative design solutions at 24 airports throughout the United States and Canada. Jeff’s partnership among airlines and airport leaders as clients, as well as industry stakeholders including TSA, CBP and a variety of airport tenants contributes to a range of successful projects among large international airports such as Minneapolis-St. Paul International, Memphis International & Dayton International and mid-size regional terminals such as Madison, WI & Cheyenne, WY. In particular, the MAC at MSP has valued Jeff’s leadership and contributions towards their Terminal Masterplanning, Environmental Assessment, a variety of terminal & concourse expansions/renovations and continued participation on several MAC Committees. As a USGBC LEED Accredited Professional, Jeff unites a commitment to sustainable design among clients and project teams through quality design as an integrated process.
Over the years, Jeff has increasingly leveraged his aviation planning and design expertise to bring leadership to the broader aviation industry, as well as within our firm. As a volunteer mentor and firm leader, Jeff has shared his past experience and leadership training among project teams by initiating and organizing several training programs including: Aviation Planning and Design Best Practices, Presentation Workshop Series, Leadership Forum and Aviation Client Design Guideline reviews. In his community, Jeff is the Vice-Chair of his city’s Planning Commission. His leadership extends beyond our practice as a contributor to aviation industry literature and trade magazines and also as a regular attendee, delegate, booth host, event sponsor or speaker at national and regional aviation industry conferences including AAAE, ACC and ACI events. Jeff has been a speaker at national conferences including the AAAE Airport Planning, Design and Construction Symposium where he presented “Passenger-Focused Design” and challenged attendees to imagine a vision beyond just traditional planning and engineering-based design solutions.
Combining his expertise and leadership, Jeff’s value lies in the service he provides to his clients. Jeff’s true passion is accepting the challenge of bringing a diverse group of people together, defining common goals and breaking down the barriers of communication to move the team forward in a positive direction to achieve a shared vision.
Top 40 Under 40 Questions
1) Why did you select aviation as a career?
I am energized by the scale and complexity of terminal planning and design. The airport terminal is an environment ripe with opportunities for innovation and improvement to positively influence the passenger experience.
2) What advice from a mentor helped you the most in your career?
I was once told that the number one skill of a leader is “asking questions”. Rather than simply giving answers or making decisions for others. In reflection, those mentors I consider most influential in my life taught me that leaders ask questions and teach others to seek answers themselves to enable decision-making. This skill is a gift that keeps on giving and I am thankful to have had those relationships. I hope to continue to pay it forward to others that I may have the opportunity to mentor and share my experience.
3) What is the biggest challenge you see facing aviation today?
While many airports have aerotropolis aspirations, the passenger terminal is at the heart of the airport city. It will continue to be the gateway to your community, connecting your region to the world. Our collective challenge is to provide flexible design solutions that exceed passenger expectations today while contributing to an overall vision that anticipates an evolution of future needs. A sustainable passenger terminal is one that stands the test of time through the ability to adapt.
4) What advice would you give to others in the industry?
Collaborate! We can learn so much by working together. But go beyond just working together…attempt to see problems and solutions to those problems through the eyes of each other, our clients and our passengers.
5) What are three things we don’t know about you?
One: You can find me at the airport! My office is above the ticket counters at Terminal 1-Lindbergh, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Two: I have personally served clients at 24 airports throughout the United States and Canada.
Three: If I’m not at the airport, check out the local lakes. You might find me bass fishing!
