2015 40 Under 40: Ajay D. Babla
Ajay D. Babla
Program Manager,
Airport Design & Construction
San Diego County Regional Airport Authority
Age: 39
Years in Aviation: 15
Memberships: AAAE, CMAA
Did you know?
Babla originally wanted to become a history professor focused on 18th and 19 century United States history.
Ajay Babla says working on aviation projects makes other construction projects seem boring and repetitive. To date, he has 15 years of experience in aviation program and construction management and is recognized for his skill in successfully leading fast track and high risk projects. His areas of focus include the innovative use of alternative project delivery methods to help develop the right team, the right incentives, and most importantly, achieve the right end result. Babla joined the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority in November 2013 as a program manager with the Airport Design & Construction department. He is currently focused on the implementation of various programs, including the rental car center and the airport authority's solar photovoltaic program. From October of 2014 to June of 2015, he led the development of a detailed programmatic document and design-build contract for the Airport Authority’s 3,000-space, parking plaza project. His responsibilities also include oversight of program controls for the department. From June 2006 to June 2010, Babla served as a staff extension consultant to the Airport Authority as part of the Capital Improvement Program. In June 2010, he moved to the Airport Authority’s Terminal Development Program and served as project manager for the world’s first LEED Platinum certified commercial airport terminal, the Terminal 2 West Expansion, completed as part of the Green Build at San Diego International Airport. Babla began his career in aviation in 2001 working on projects at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. Beginning in 2002, he was a project engineer and project manager with the construction management consultant at O’Hare, focusing on mechanical and electrical system replacement projects in the airport’s various terminals. Babla earned a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the Illinois Institute of Technology and his Master’s degree in Urban Planning from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design.