Tomorrow is National Aviation Day, a celebration of the history and development of aviation. Michael Baker International’s Aviation practice provides planning, design and construction services to airports worldwide, serving as an on-call extension of staff to many of our aviation clients. Below, hear from our talented colleagues who are innovation for our clients, ranging from the smallest general aviation facilities to the busiest international airports in the world.
RaeAnne Hebnes, P.E.
Project Manager – Highway
Anchorage, Alaska
Michael Baker: Who/What inspired you to pursue your career?
RaeAnne Hebnes: I was inspired to pursue my career by my love of historic architecture and bridges. I had decided to pursue a degree in architecture, but upon visiting Montana State, I quickly realized architecture wasn't for me due to a lack of math requirements. With this I changed my plan and went into civil engineering. The aviation aspect became an aspiration after a runway project fell into my lap here at Michael Baker.
Michael Baker: What advice do you have for early career professionals in the aviation industry?
RaeAnne Hebnes: Don't be afraid to take on new challenges.
Shawn Sentelle
Designer – Aviation
Tampa, Florida
Michael Baker: Tell us about the Michael Baker project you’re most proud of.
Shawn Sentelle: This would be Paulding Northwest Atlanta Airport (PUJ) In Paulding, Georgia. Michael Baker was tasked with doing the planning, design/engineering and construction. This airport was the first brand-new airport constructed in Georgia in many years. I helped in all aspects of planning, design, engineering and construction with a big team of all disciplines working together. Once construction was completed, several of us attended the grand opening. It fills you with pride being there and knowing you played a sizable role with the team.
Michael Baker: What changes are you most excited about in the future of aviation?
Shawn Sentelle: I have been keeping up with industry changes and the biggest one that I can't wait for is Building Information Modeling (BIM) and 3D. BIM is currently mainly used in architectural applications in the aviation industry. However, BIM and 3D are slowly spreading to all disciplines in the future so that BIM will be the standard. BIM is basically smart 3D modeling, and it can greatly increase productivity but also allow us to find and resolve common conflicts missed by traditional methods. In some projects, it has eliminated construction drawings.
Meg Watkins, P.E.
Program Manager
Norcross, Georgia
Michael Baker: Who/What inspired you to pursue your career?
Meg Watkins: I was a natural in math and science growing up and enjoyed solving problems. My father was a mechanical engineer and inventor who inspired me to pursue my career in mechanical engineering, although I had voiced an interest in civil engineering. I worked as a manufacturing plant engineer for over 20 years, and although I enjoyed that type of work, I heard my husband discuss his career in aviation and it also sounded fun and challenging in a new and different kind of way.
Michael Baker: Tell us about the Michael Baker project you’re most proud of.
Meg Watkins: I am proud of being the Project Manager of Hartsfield Jackson Repairs Project 21-23. I have been learning a lot about pavement walks and determining which distresses should be prioritized for repair. The team created AutoCAD drawings of the distresses and phasing plans for the trench drain repairs, and it is currently reviewing shop drawings. The project is just entering construction, but it has been a great learning experience. Working on a project of this magnitude at the world's busiest airport is super exciting.
Mike Stengel, P.E.
Office Executive
Bentonville, Arkansas
Michael Baker: Tell us about the Michael Baker project you’re most proud of.
Mike Stengel: I worked with the Jonesboro Municipal Airport in Arkansas to plan and execute a project to develop a new area on the airport for corporate hangars. While not a large project, it was very beneficial to the airport, and the funding strategy for using a combination of numerous grants from the state department of aviation was a very aggressive approach. Working with the airport management, we were able to successfully obtain four separate grants to construct the initial infrastructure and the first hangar building, then additional grants for more hangars, which has led to a significant increase in hangar lease income for the airport, enabling more aggressive capital projects moving forward.
Michael Baker: What advice do you have for early career professionals in the aviation industry?
Mike Stengel: Spend as much time as possible in the field, on-site during construction. Airport construction – especially at commercial service airports – is complex, and it is valuable to truly understand the implications of the project design and phasing during implementation.
Greg VanderMolen, P.E.
Department Manager – Aviation
Cary, North Carolina
Michael Baker: Who/What inspired you to pursue your career?
Greg VanderMolen: I fell into aviation as an intern not even knowing what a civil engineer would do at an airport. I haven't looked back since.
Michael Baker: What changes are you most excited about in the future of aviation?
Greg VanderMolen: I think the electrification of aircraft and alternative fuels are going to have an impact on facility requirements for airports large and small.
