And now for something to put in the good news category…the announcements of the Southeast Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives (SEC-AAAE) Corporate Awards for 2020! Each year, the SEC-AAAE presents awards at the Annual Chapter Conference which would have occurred on March 31st this year in Little Rock. Needless to say, those plans changed, but the winners of the awards this year still need recognition as outstanding examples of aviation projects and outstanding individual contributions in the business of aviation this year. In all, we received 20 nominations for six different categories this year. Those categories are:
· General Aviation Project of the Year – Airfields
· General Aviation Project of the Year – Architecture
· Commercial Airport Project of the Year - Airfields
· Commercial Airport Project of the Year – Architecture
· Corporate Member of the Year
· Airport Professional of the Year
Without further ado, here are the winners of the 2020 SEC-AAAE Corporate Awards…
General Aviation Project of the Year – Airfields
This project addressed a 2015 Pavement Condition Index rating of 65 on one of this airport’s runways as well as provided drainage system improvements, new taxiway and runway lighting and signage as well as the installation of PAPIs and REILs. A few more stats about the winning project:
· 150’ wide four inch mill and overlay of P-401
· Replaced existing twin 18” RCPs
· Lighting and signage work included replacement of VASI with PAPI for both approaches.
· Project Team:
o Contractors: AJAX, Baja Electric Service, Hi-Lite Airfield Services, Cardinal International Grooving & Grinding, Hydrograss Technologies, Christo
o Consultants: Hole Montes, Owen Ames Kimball Co.
· The project was substantially complete on December 26, 2019
· Total Project Cost was $8,832,550
General Aviation Project of the Year – Architecture
This project included the construction of an 18,000 square foot, 180’x100’ hangar and featured elaborate interior and exterior LED lighting, an 8-leaf bi-parting electric door, epoxy flooring, and trench drains to accommodate a full deluge and foam fire suppression system. A few more stats about the winning project:
· The project nomination provided evidence of key project features – unique solutions to common problems, resourcefulness, pioneering use of materials, cost-effectiveness, and environmental considerations.
· Project Team:
o General Contractor: Tungsten, LLC
o Engineer: Talbert & Bright, Inc.
o Architect: The Wilson Group Architects, PA
· The project was substantially complete on December 26, 2019
· Total Project Cost was $5,024,254.8
Commercial Airport Project of the Year – Airfields
This project included a full keep replacement of Runway 10L-28R, mill and overlay of multiple taxiways and connectors, upgrades of taxiway geometry to meet standards, and upgrade of approach lighting system and PAPIs for each runway approach – all completed within a 120 calendar day runway closure. A few more characteristics about the winning project:
· The project nomination provided evidence of key project features – utilization of early completion incentives, connecting taxiway realignment, upgrading airfield lighting and signage, replacement of two EMAS beds, upgrading FAA facilities, and community outreach.
· Project Team:
o General Contractor: General Asphalt Company, Inc.
o Engineer of Record: Kimley-Horn
· Runway was opened on October 1, 2019
· Total Project Cost was $95,000,000
Commercial Airport Project of the Year – Architecture
This project’s purpose was to renovate, upgrade, and modernize the exterior of the public-facing domestic facilities of the passenger terminal. The project’s goal was to unify both terminals and enhance the customer experience and service throughout the airport complex. Two 65-foot-tall steel-framed canopies built over the sign and north curbside weigh 3.5 million pounds. A few more characteristics about the winning project:
· Dual 864’ long canopies featuring curved tube steel Vierendeel trusses with each truss spanning 174’ and supported on one edge by 10’ deep x 21’ tall concrete piers and the other on bearing pads atop the existing terminal columns.
· Project Team:
o Contractor: New South-McCarthy-Synergy, JV
o Engineer of Record: Hartsfield-Jackson + Partnership
· After a total project duration of approximately 50 months, it was completed in late 2019
· Total Project Cost was $210,898,341
Corporate Member of the Year
This year’s winner received the following compliments in their nomination:
The Development Team at Myrtle Beach has had the privilege of working with this individual on multiple projects spanning 16 years. He has had the role of both Project Manager and Design Engineer and is relied upon by staff for successful outcomes.
Most importantly, this individual is a great communicator. While keeping the owner’s interest in mind, he ensures all parties are aware of critical-path items from the project’s beginning. Each subcontractor has a clear understanding of expectations – there are few change orders and surprises during construction. No matter the size or scope, this individual finds a method to prioritize and delegate, leading to on-time completion.
Airport Professional of the Year
This year’s winner received the following compliments in their nomination:
This individual began the award period organizing clean up and recovery efforts from Hurricane Florence which inundated the general aviation side of the airport with flood waters as high as 40 inches. He worked with other storm affected airports to secure financial donations from the airport industry to distribute to his employees that had been displaced by the storm. He ended the award period he again was working on helping others during a hurricane by coordinating an air bridge to potentially airlift up to 700 victims off of their homes on the Outer Banks. In between all of this, this year’s winner accomplished the following:
· Served as a panelist for the North Carolina Division of Aviation’s strategic planning initiative, “Envisioning our Future, Aigning for Impact”
· Member of the State’s Strategic Transportation Initiative (STI) aviation working group
· Became a member of the Craven County transportation plan working group
· Launched his airport into two major business initiatives
· Delivered the keynote speech for Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day ceremonies at the North Carolina History Center
· Served as Vice President and Annual Concrete Committee Chairman of the North Carolina Airports Association
· Oversaw 18 capital projects at his airport over the last year
