Chief Operating Officer Bryan Hafertepe first joined Connico in 2016. In 2021, Hafertepe was invited to join the senior leadership team, and in 2022 he became an owner and chief operations officer at the firm. In this role, he leads the hiring committee and focuses on the development of personnel.
“The trust [that] Connico placed in me right out of college in leading our efforts on major planning projects at airports like LAX, RDU, & LaGuardia was fundamental in my development as an engineer and problem solver,” he said. “The ability to work on these projects with some of the most brilliant folks at Connico, with our clients, and at airports helped me better understand the big picture when tackling complicated project and developing solutions.”
“In his work with clients, he’s known for his ability to develop strong relationships, create consensus among multiple parties, and move ideas forward,” said Connico Vice President and Chief Development Officer David J. Hunley. “Many of our clients request him by name for their projects because of his leadership and strong performance.”
Hafertepe has earned his LEED and Envision certifications and is active in the industry and his community. He has been involved in the Cincinnati Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) since 2019 and is the incoming president. He previously served as the section’s vice president, treasurer, and secretary. He is a member of the Airport Consultants Council (ACC) Planning and Environmental Committee and is also involved as a mentor in the Young Professionals Choral Collective.
“As magnets of industry and economic impact, airports are uniquely positioned to have significant impact on communities that they serve. I’d like to see the airports of the future be widely recognized as cutting-edge catalysts for innovation and sustainability, as well as positive change in their communities,” he said.