Category: Aviation & Aerospace

HPM Breaks Ground on Support Center Facility with Leonardo Helicopters

Posted on July 31, 2023

HPM and Leonardo Helicopters have officially broken ground on a state-of-the-art customer support center in Milton, Florida. HPM is providing program management and preconstruction services for the helicopter support center at Whiting Aviation Park, a site immediately adjacent to the Naval Air Station Whiting Field (NASWF). The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.

The Leonardo Helicopters Florida Support Center will span 113,000 square feet and include four large hangar bays, major component repair and overhaul, transmission work that will include Dynamic Test Bench, a full-sized paint booth and all associated tooling and equipment. In addition, a large parts warehouse will also be co-located to enable a more efficient supply chain response for the U.S. Navy’s TH-73 fleet at NASWF, as well as for commercial customers operating throughout the Gulf of Mexico.

“This support center is an exciting addition to our extensive portfolio of aviation and defense projects across the country, and we have seen an immense demand for these types of facilities in Northwest Florida. The region continues to serve as one of the top locations for growth within the aviation and aerospace industries, and we have been busy providing quality program management services for a number of clients who are building in the market. We’re looking forward to working alongside Leonardo to deliver this highly anticipated support center, as it plays into Milton’s burgeoning growth story.”
Ryan Austin, President, HPM

To better serve the needs of this fleet and more than 1,000 Leonardo aircraft that are operating throughout the Gulf of Mexico and Central America, the company worked closely with partners at Santa Rosa County and Space Florida to select a site at Whiting Aviation Park for its new comprehensive customer support facility. Located on 267 acres of industrially zoned land owned by Santa Rosa County, the Whiting Aviation Park features a “first of its kind” limited access use agreement between Santa Rosa County and the US Navy, allowing tenants of the park to have access to NASWF’s 6,000 ft. runway and air traffic control. HPM was selected as the program manager for the project, set to oversee budget, compliance and scheduling controls during the planning and construction stages.

“We are thrilled to break ground at Whiting Aviation Park on Leonardo Helicopters’ new Florida Support Center. With this modern and highly efficient facility, Leonardo Helicopters will be able to bring its industry-leading product support services even closer to our customers. We would not be here today if not for the constant partnership and support of the State of Florida, Space Florida, Santa Rosa County, Triumph Gulf Coast, and the United States Navy.”
Clyde Woltman, CEO, Leonardo Helicopters U.S.

Leonardo first announced its intention to build a helicopter support center at Whiting Aviation Park in 2019, before the United States Navy selected a variant of the Leonardo AW119, now named the TH-73 “Thrasher,” to serve as the primary training aircraft for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Coast Guard as well as other allied nations. The first aircraft was delivered to the US Navy in June of 2021 and in July, with the support of Santa Rosa County and Triumph Gulf Coast, Leonardo opened a temporary hangar at Peter Prince Airport to gain its FAA Part 145 certification and begin repair work while a larger, permanent facility was being designed and developed at Whiting. Since that time, Leonardo has hired 19 full time employees in Santa Rosa County.

Built to Lead: Matt Jackson

Posted on April 18, 2023

It is universally known that one of the greatest adversaries facing construction projects is scheduling delays. Far too often, progress slows or comes to a halt altogether due to scheduling issues involving people, production or planning. Fortunately, HPM has an excellent resource in Matt Jackson, Senior Schedule Manager (also known as the scheduling mastermind) to protect clients from experiencing these frustrating and costly delays. Combining the knowledge he gleaned from many years in the field and his expertise in scheduling technologies, Matt has developed an unrivaled approach to Project Controls. Continue reading to get to know Matt as you learn more about his career path and leadership style.

HPM: What does a typical day at HPM look like for you?

I don’t know that I have many typical days, seeing as how I work with so many different programs throughout each day. I range from working with teams helping to program schedules, reviewing schedules and project status, monitoring for schedule risk, “nerding-out” on developing data analysis techniques for scheduling and visiting project sites. Sometimes I do several of these tasks all within the same day. My days vary a lot, day to day, but I enjoy the variety.

HPM: What is the best part of your job?

My favorite part of my job is getting to work with so many different people, teams and projects. I get to interact with so many different programs and each one has unique aspects. This has given me a lot of insight into the multitude of methods, processes and personalities it takes to accomplish a program. My role also gives me the opportunity to develop a lot of relationships across HPM’s footprint.

HPM: What is your proudest accomplishment?

This is an accomplishment that I share with my wife, Joanna, and it’s one that’s an ongoing process. But it’s raising our son, Curtis. It’s been an incredibly rewarding experience to be a father and to watch our child grow, guide them through challenges, teach them and push them to be better every day. Seeing him achieve success academically, learn, adapt and make friends has been a constant source of inspiration and (mostly good) surprises. We’re unbelievably proud of him and feel that it’s our most important goal to help him reach his maximum potential and to guide him through an increasingly complicated world.

HPM: What are the character qualities of a great leader?

I think great leaders have to be great facilitators and decision makers. Leaders may not always know all the answers, but they must orchestrate getting the right people in the room and equip them with the necessary tools to tackle a challenge. Leaders must also be decisive after weighing perspectives and move swiftly in taking action. The world moves rapidly, and leaders must do the same.

7 Questions Airports Should Ask When Hiring a Program Manager

Posted on April 10, 2023

How do airports benefit from hiring an owner’s representative? Site selection, project team procurement, construction auditing – your needs during a capital expenditure program can be as varied as the projects are complex. When you have major investments, a need for speed-to-market, and a reputation at stake, minimizing risk and maximizing return are table stakes. That’s where an owner’s representative or a program manager thrives. A program manager offers many benefits to airports, including clear timelines, streamlined communication, and, perhaps best of all, peace of mind. With the right program manager in place, you can focus on and achieve overall project success and maintain a strategic approach for your investment without having to dig into the details.

But how do you choose the right owner’s rep/program manager for your project? To help you navigate through the noise, we’ve compiled our list of the top seven questions to ask when hiring a firm to represent you during the planning, design, and construction process in the U.S. so you can find that right fit.

1. Do you understand U.S. and local building codes and regulations for permitting? Why it’s important: national and local codes and regulations are complex. While they are designed to specify minimum requirements related to health, safety, and the welfare of building occupants, they can be challenging to comprehend fully. An experienced program manager will help you navigate these requirements through careful planning, ultimately allowing you to avoid common pitfalls.

2. Do you have a thorough understanding of the factors that will drive the budget, such as labor and materials? Why it’s important: As the market booms, U.S. labor forces remain stretched, forcing the cost of labor to increase. The same is true with materials pricing, as across the board we are seeing a rise in the cost of materials (e.g., steel). An established program manager should know the market trends and local workforce, thereby helping you mitigate the impacts on your budget and realize success.

3. Do you keep up with U.S. construction industry trends and understand innovations and newly available solutions? Why it’s important: As we see material and labor costs rising, innovative solutions like AI/machine learning or virtual reality/augmentation are being used to offset the strain on the workforce and budget. The best program managers will know that keeping up with emerging trends and tools is important to maximizing your ROI.

4. Do you have an advocate that can be your boots-on-the-ground resource? Why it’s important: There is great value in engaging an experienced partner with trained eyes and ears who understands the local design and construction community as well as the industry. A program manager who already has established relationships can more easily act as a facilitator throughout the project, providing you with the confidence you need to ensure you are safeguarding your investment. By hiring the right program manager, you can maximize your attention to other endeavors and responsibilities and remove any barriers that may come between you and success.

5. Do you understand the various delivery models? Why it’s important: An effective program manager will help you consider your options (Progressive Design-Build, CM-at-Risk, Design-Build, Integrated Project Delivery, etc.). Choosing the option that is best suited for how you do business is paramount to managing risk and creating a cohesive team approach. Plus, understanding the terms and conditions of your contracts helps ensure the project is delivered without an interruption in expectations. In particular, the Progressive Design-Build delivery model has become increasingly attractive to airports as it allows the owner to have more input into the overall design of the facility, manage costs in a proactive manner, and achieve substantial schedule benefits. An airport can significantly benefit by hiring a program manager that has experience not only in managing a Progressive Design-Build project but managing the construction of airport terminals utilizing the Progressive Design-Build delivery model.

6. Do you have the capacity for this project? Why it’s important: You need to know if the PM team has time to take on a capital project and manage the day-to-day details. This direct question gives firms an opportunity to recognize their potential distractions and request help in adopting a speed-to-market mentality. Through clear communication from the beginning, you can find a program manager who will study the way you work, help you manage decision-making through the chain of command, and put pressure at given points so you can meet your goals and mitigate your risk in the process.

7. Do you understand what construction activities are eligible for your funding/grants, and do you know when you will need to have the funding available/on hand? Why it’s important: To ensure that your project is maximizing the funding opportunities available, it is imperative to know what types of activities are eligible for specific funding sources/grants in order to prevent ineligible expenditures from being paid directly from the airport funds. Further, it is critical to understand the anticipated cash flow for the project in order to proactively ensure that money is on hand as invoices are received.

As a leading program management firm with a history stretching back to the 1940s, we know how to act as true advocates for our clients, helping airport owners complete their projects faster and for a better price. From coast to coast, HPM has managed more than $12 billion and audited over $30 billion in construction value during our 25-year history of program management work.

If you’re interested in learning more about how HPM provides airport owners with peace of mind throughout the entire construction process, please reach out. We would love the opportunity to connect!

HPM Johnson Brings Holistic Program Management Services to Georgia

Posted on November 29, 2022

HPM and Atlanta-based Johnson Construction Services have announced a structured joint venture as HPM Johnson. The strategic partnership delivers holistic and integrated program management, flexible and scalable owner’s representation, and a range of services across the construction lifecycle for new and ongoing projects throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area, throughout Georgia and the Southeast.

Dedicated to all aspects of program management, HPM Johnson provides assessment, planning, contracting and procurement, design and construction management, project controls and move and transition coordination — through to audit, occupancy and closeout. Its approach to program management incorporates a cyclical pattern of assessment and planning to bring about a more effective and efficient program management plan, and ultimately save time and money for its clients.

“Both individually and collectively, the team behind HPM Johnson already possesses a proven track record of program management triumphs within the Atlanta market,” said Johnson Construction Services President and CEO Artis Johnson, an Atlanta native. “Our advantage now lies in our partnership’s ability to execute projects of any size or complexity, while offering access to management and leadership only a firm our size can offer.”

Johnson continued, “Relationships are the driving force behind our business, and our purpose is to represent the interests of owners and bring home success for our clients.”

HPM Johnson brings a combined 55 years of program management experience to Metro Atlanta, having worked with several high-profile clients in the market. Johnson Construction Services was founded in Atlanta in 1993, with a portfolio of projects ranging from education facilities to historic preservation projects. HPM originated out of an 80-year-old Hoar Construction and began our owner’s representation services more than 25 years ago, serving K-12, higher education, local and municipal entities, industrial and manufacturing, and additional sectors throughout the Southeast. After connecting and discovering similarities in each company’s core values and business approaches, HPM President Ryan Austin and Johnson decided to merge services in the Atlanta area and began pursuing partnership opportunities in early 2022.

Looking to the Future at the Farnborough International Airshow

Posted on September 7, 2022

HPM oversaw the successful design and construction of the first Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility and is the perfect partner for aviation and aerospace companies to help bring their facilities from concept to operational.

After a two-year hiatus, HPM was eager to be back at the 2022 Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) in Farnborough, United Kingdom, near London, from July 18-20, 2022 to network with the key players in the industry. HPM provides owners’ representation and a range of services for airlines, aircraft manufacturers, airports, maintenance-repair-overhaul (MRO) companies and space and defense firms, as well as local and state governments interested in attracting investment and attended FIA to position our company as a program management leader in the field.

Ryan Austin, President of HPM, and Jay Daily, Vice President of Business Development, at the Farnborough Airshow.

HPM has attended for the better part of a decade and had a strong presence this year, with President Ryan Austin, Vice President of Business Development Jay Daily and Vice President of Marketing Andi Sims in attendance. At FIA, one of the largest aviation-focused events in the world, more than 80,000 trade visitors gather at the Farnborough Airport’s International Exhibition and Conference Centre for a week of inspiring networking and cutting-edge industry learning.

The biennial airshow features four indoor exhibition halls, where industry leaders, suppliers and consultants for the aviation, rotorcraft and aerospace industries showcase their products and capabilities to an expansive, international audience. The five-day event also includes static and aerial displays and the opportunity to network with municipal, state and national delegations from 100+ countries.

HPM looked to the future at this year’s FIA, after the challenges that the global pandemic caused over the past two years. The airshow highlighted six key themes at the event; Space, Defense, Sustainability, Innovation, Future Flight and Workforce. Below is a brief summary of the key learnings that HPM gained from each that we will use to further advance relationships with our business partners and to assist aerospace companies looking to establish or expand a presence in the U.S.

Space: The commercialization and increasing accessibility of space travel and exploration and the production of international spaceport infrastructure was the focus of the space theme.
Defense: The private sector and world governments came together to discuss the evolving defense landscape and modern, global security challenges.
Sustainability: Climate change, the future of our planet and how the aerospace industry plays a pivotal role in each was the focus of the sustainability theme. Exhibitors also showcased their developments on the path to reaching Net Zero.
Innovation: New technological advancements and approaches that will radically change the industry for years to come were on full display. Attendees discussed the biggest challenges and toughest questions facing aviation companies today.
Future Flight: Dedicated exhibition areas, showcases and displays highlighted industry pioneers who are transforming the aviation industry through Advanced Air Mobility, zero emissions aircraft, and advancements in R&D and manufacturing.
Workforce: As the industry’s workforce continues to evolve, FIA sought to inspire the future generation of aviation and aerospace professionals. The inaugural Pioneers of Tomorrow event, new automation technologies and inspiring leaders rounded out the Workforce theme.

HPM will have a presence at the Paris Air Show, held at Paris–Le Bourget Airport in France, on June 19-25, 2023. We hope to see you there!

Building for Airbus: HPM Hosts Town Hall Sessions to Encourage Local Vendor Partnerships in Mobile, AL

Posted on July 18, 2022

In May, Airbus confirmed its plans to raise a third aircraft assembly line in Mobile, Alabama – a tremendous investment that will eventually create more than 1,000 new jobs. The project is expected to break ground in early 2023, but the procurement process is already well underway.

As the program manager for Airbus, HPM was pleased to partner with the client, as well as the Mobile Chamber, the Mobile Area Black Chamber of Commerce, the city of Mobile, Mobile County, the Mobile Section of the Associated General Contractors of America and the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance, to host three recent town hall meetings to increase awareness of vendor opportunities among local contractors and other interested parties.

“The mission tonight is simple,” said Jay Daily, VP of business development for HPM, at one of the recent sessions. “We want to ensure awareness of upcoming work. We also want to engage all community partners. We are trying to maximize local participation, as we have in the past.”

Town hall sessions, held in June, were designed for business leaders hoping to earn a piece of the expansive work. The goal is to pair up contractors large and small to work in teams on the projects, and ultimately drive economic impact deeper into the community by ensuring more dollars are spent locally to serve the Mobile economy.

Tapping as many local businesses as possible is a central goal for Airbus, and HPM was at the helm of this initiative, ensuring participants understood the “design-build” approach and were prepared to bring local relationships to the table. Procurement activity for each Airbus package, which ranges from work on a utility corridor to the delivery of new aircraft hangars, will take place in late summer and throughout the fall. Contractors at all levels were encouraged to complete a registration process, which provided an opportunity for firms to detail their capabilities and the kind of work they are interested in.

HPM’s long-standing partnership with Airbus makes it the ideal program management partner for the forthcoming Brookley Aeroplex expansion project. The relationship began nearly fifteen years ago with HPM’s successful involvement in the construction of Airbus Engineering Center, which led to the firm managing the A320 Final Assembly Line (FAL) project and the A220 FAL facility construction. This recent town hall initiative mirrors HPM’s own commitment to local relationship building and investment in the Mobile market.

As Mobile continues to grow and Alabama’s aerospace sector strengthens, HPM looks forward to serving as a trusted partner to Airbus as it works to maximize local business involvement, bolster Mobile’s economy and deliver new and exciting employment opportunities to the local community.

HPM ATTENDS THE 2022 INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW

Posted on June 29, 2022

Beginning Monday, July 18, HPM will be represented at the 2022 Farnborough International Airshow by President Ryan Austin, Vice President of Business Development Jay Daily, and Vice President of Marketing Andi Sims.

The biennial Farnborough International Airshow — the second largest of such shows in the world — brings together aerospace industry professionals, economic and business development recruiters, and city, state, and national delegations from around the globe. More than 1,500 exhibitors from 48 countries will be represented in this year’s trade show exhibition, showcasing their products and capabilities to 80,000 attendees from nearly 100 countries.

HPM, which oversaw the successful design and construction of the first Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility, as well as many other manufacturing and MRO facilities for national and international clients, stands perfectly poised to assist aerospace companies looking to establish or expand a presence in the U.S. Plus, with a portfolio of experience rooted in the public sector, HPM serves as an ideal partner for state and local government recruiting business and industry to their areas.

If you’d like to meet with an HPM team representative at the Farnborough Airshow, please reach out to Ryan, Jay, or Andi.

Ryan Austin
President
raustin@hpmleadership.com

Jay Daily
VP of Business Development
jdaily@hpmleadership.com

Andi Sims
Vice President of Marketing
asims@hpmleadership.com

The Art of Being a Local Expert in Aviation Program Management

Posted on April 27, 2022

Since HPM’s inception, understanding what our clients want and how we can use available resources to bring their dynamic projects to fruition has been at the core of what we do. It is crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of regional conditions such as weather, available labor, and permitting processes, and how we can leverage this knowledge to protect our clients from scheduling delays and increased material costs. HPM has established itself as a local expert through our extensive experience providing program management for aviation and aerospace initiatives, such as the Airbus FAL USA project, and specialized support to our clients.

Leveraging Your Network

As a local expert, one of the most crucial steps is to develop a strong network of trusted contacts whom you can count on throughout each stage of a project. Before a contract is even signed, HPM conducts a market analysis to determine what the labor pool and resource availability look like in the local region. To begin cultivating market interest early on, we also hold town meetings to identify local and regional contractors. Acting as a mediator between the client and local stakeholders, HPM’s project managers can utilize these pre-qualified contacts during the project lifecycle to keep construction timelines on track.

Building Trust

HPM engages in consistent and open communication with a small group of officials at the city and county levels, such as the chief building inspector, fire marshall and the Department of Environmental Management and the US Army Corp of Engineers to discuss the project’s goals and plans. We also build strong, working relationships with the local area district offices of the FAA. By building a rapport with local officials, HPM can get the appropriate person’s attention if an issue arises because a solid foundation of trust in our work has been built over time.

“Trust starts with how you treat people, and if you treat people with respect, they will respect you back,” says Larry Hipsh, program director at HPM. “Our company also ensures that we remain transparent with our clients about the state of a project and explain complex processes and situations in a way that is easily understood. The meaningful relationships and trust we have built with all of the partners and clients we have worked with are what keeps HPM’s engine running and maintains a pattern of success for all parties involved.”

Case Study: Airbus US Manufacturing Facility – Mobile, AL

HPM provided and continues to provide program management services for the development and implementation of the Airbus A320 Final Assembly Line program that began in 2013, the A220 Final Assembly Line beginning in 2018 and the current expansion which started in early 2022 at Brookley Aeroplex in Mobile, Alabama. With its operations office located in multiple countries in Europe, Airbus looked to HPM and our partner Mott MacDonald for our understanding of both U.S. customs and regulations as well as specific nuances of the area of Mobile, including its complex permitting process. HPM took the time to understand the client’s communication style to ensure they understood our messaging and were satisfied with the results we provided them.

“HPM’s team in Mobile both lives and operates close to the Airbus project, and we had a passion to positively impact the footprint and skyline of our own backyard,” says Foster Veazey, project manager at HPM. “Having this established presence in the same neighborhood that our client was operating in allowed us to use a boots-on-the-ground approach and be by their side throughout every phase of the project.”

Because HPM is dedicated to providing comprehensive program management services, we can remain flexible to meet our client’s needs as they change and evolve. For the Airbus project, our team had a hard deadline which, if missed, would incur heavy fines for our client. Despite having to work remotely with the Airbus team, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, HPM successfully completed the project ahead of schedule.

HPM looks beyond the basic needs of our clients and instead focuses on building a custom “one-size-fits-one” approach for each client to meet their specific expectations and needs while addressing any pain points they may have going into a project. We serve as an owner’s representative and advisor from the beginning to the end and beyond. Our people care about each other and the work we do. This is what makes the difference for our clients. HPM doesn’t treat projects like a line item on a profitability spreadsheet but instead goes the extra mile to become a local expert and a valuable asset to each of our clients.

Do you have an ambitious schedule and challenging budget for your capital building project? That’s our specialty! Please explore our aviation portfolio and reach out. We would love to connect with you.

Finger on the Pulse: Complex Aviation Projects Require Specialized Program Managers

Posted on April 20, 2022

By Andrew Betts, HPM Senior Program Manager

For nearly 15 years, HPM has been a trusted partner for leaders in the aviation and aerospace sectors. Our capabilities ensure aviation clients can achieve the speed-to-market needed to stay ahead in the industry. HPM’s experience with major players, including Airbus, AAR and Boom Supersonic, places us at the forefront of innovation in this space and allows us to provide onsite, day-to-day management tailored to fit the industry’s needs.

As program manager, HPM works alongside aerospace and aviation owners undertaking major construction projects by supporting pre-planning and site selection, coordinating delivery schedules, aligning budgets and streamlining communication for all partners involved, from design to supplies to construction. Our specialized expertise allows our clients to have peace of mind during major investments, no matter the market conditions.

When working in aviation, there are specific challenges that inevitably arise no matter how much preparation happens beforehand. As industry experts, it is our job to know how to employ the right techniques and protocols to combat these issues and avoid setbacks to project completions. Accountability and experience are key in determining success for our clients.

New Projects Mean New Obstacles to Consider

Projected growth in the aviation sector means that many companies will remain very active with new construction across the country. Site selection is a major first step for these projects, especially for ground-up initiatives. While airports continue to grow, available land is diminishing. Program managers must look closely at land sources as limitations remain on where new facilities can be located in proximity to runways. Access to nearby labor also remains crucial, especially in the wake of an ongoing labor shortage.

Like many other industries, aviation is also facing supply chain-related challenges, which have negatively impacted product procurement and pricing. Commodity markets have been hard hit, and large hangars require specialized materials that take longer to secure than typical equipment (a problem even before the pandemic). Some vendors don’t offer pricing commitments until the product is shipped, meaning that closer consideration should be put into contract drafting to protect owners from potentially devastating impacts.

While lead times have grown and prices have risen, permitting has also become more complex. In some markets, it now can take over a year to obtain the approvals needed, causing yet another hurdle for owners to navigate in the initial stages and underscoring the need for a program manager who understands the complexities of these regulations and how to mitigate the impacts.

These headwinds make clear the importance of preplanning and coordination between design and construction teams — which is right where our specialty lies. We take the reins to minimize uncertainty and put owners at ease with the trajectory of their project plans.

Ensuring Success Through A Trusted Program Manager

Engaging a program manager as soon as possible is critical to ensuring a smooth process from material procurement to execution. Our experts at HPM know the ins and outs of the aviation industry and can support owners every step of the way, drawing on decades of experience. Understanding the nuances of different aircraft and airports, understanding location-specific challenges, knowing the regulatory environment and having the right relationships is vital to the success of these projects. At HPM, we are constantly developing new strategies for earlier product procurement and working to engage partners before any boots meet the ground.

As the industry continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, owners should stay diligent and adaptable. Despite a multitude of challenges, MRO within aviation and aerospace is growing and is expected to return to pre-pandemic levels by 2024, according to Oliver Wyman’s Global Fleet & MRO Forecast 2022-2023. HPM remains at the forefront of aviation’s evolution, keeping our fingers on the pulse of innovation, pricing and the supply chain so that our clients only see the best possible outcomes.

Do you have an ambitious schedule and challenging budget for your capital building project? That’s our specialty. If your project could benefit from our services, please explore our aviation portfolio and reach out! We would love to connect with you.

Built to Lead: Foster Veazey

Posted on December 13, 2021

At HPM, we are dedicated to being an advocate for our clients from start to finish. We pride ourselves on excellent customer service while providing unparalleled expertise in construction management. For the past three years, HPM Project Manager Foster Veazey has soared to new heights by leading successful aviation projects for HPM clients like Airbus and the Mobile Airport Authority. Keep reading to learn more about Foster’s role at HPM, his proudest accomplishment, and more.

HPM: What does a typical day at HPM look like for you?

One of the things that I enjoy the most about my job is that aside from my standard weekly meetings, most of my days are different and not a “standard” or “typical” day. Depending on the phase of the project, the overall schedule, risks, etc., the priorities for how my day is spent change constantly. This allows for constant engagement and excitement while preventing a sense of monotony while at work.

HPM: What is the best part of your job?

Without a doubt, the best part of my job is being able to work in close proximity with and collaborate with our HPM team. We have an extremely unique culture that fosters a collaborative spirit and team atmosphere in everything we do, which I have found to be very atypical compared to other organizations. Working with others who I consider friends and not just co-workers is a unique feature that sets HPM apart.

HPM: What is your proudest accomplishment?

My proudest accomplishment was completing a full renovation of a 100+-year-old house amidst the COVID pandemic. I completely gutted the house down to the studs, moved walls, re-wired the entire house, laid new flooring, transformed the third bedroom into a master bathroom, and re-plumbed the house amidst 1,000+ other projects that I completed. I’d never done a project of this size by myself and was able to learn more than I ever thought was possible while restoring a beautiful home that my wife and I were able to sell. Lots of literal blood, sweat, and tears went into the renovation which took right around 13 months for me to complete by myself.

HPM: What are the characteristics of a great leader?

To me, a great leader is one who is able to inspire others to do things that they don’t want to or are unwilling to do on their own. Too often clichés that “everyone is a leader” are thrown around today, but this simply isn’t true. There are leaders and there are followers, but to truly be a leader you must inspire others to follow you. Personally, I feel that this is most easily accomplished by the leader having the humility to only ask of others what they are willing to do themselves.

Are you built to lead and interested in joining the HPM team? Check out our current job openings and apply today!

HPM Careers

Category: Aviation & Aerospace

HPM oversaw the successful design and construction of the first Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility and is the perfect partner for aviation and aerospace companies to help bring their facilities from concept to operational.

New Projects Mean New Obstacles to Consider

Ensuring Success Through A Trusted Program Manager

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