The team, lead by The Ohio State University (OSU) and supported by ICF, Inc., Quadrex Aviation, Pavlik & Associates, The Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI), and DPrather Aviation Solutions, is uniquely comprised of researchers and practitioners with extensive experience in the field of higher education, training, and development of the airport workforce.

ICF is a global consulting services company with over 5,000 specialized experts. Since 1969, public and private sector clients have worked with ICF to navigate change and shape the culture. ICF has supported ACRP, TCRP, NCHRP, NCFRP, and FHWA in developing guidance for a wide range of practitioner-oriented projects related to workforce development, skill gap analysis, industry labor-market projections, recruitment and retention strategies, transportation planning, and transportation infrastructure development costs. This is in addition to developing strategic guidance and user-friendly products for other transportation clients (including airports and state DOTs) on workforce issues such as recruiting and retaining staff; education, training, and staff development; developing model job information; conducting literature reviews, focus groups, interviews, and surveys; and identifying best practices in areas such as change management and workforce planning. ICF’s workforce issues and transportation technical staff are supported by an award-winning communications group, one of the three largest in Washington, D.C., that provides integrated marketing, graphics design, and other communications services in-house and to a wide range of public- and private-sector clients.
Since 1992, Quadrex Aviation, LLC, has provided innovative and cost-effective strategic and business planning solutions for the airport management community. Quadrex offers an extensive array of experience, practical knowledge, and close working relationships among industry professionals for assisting clients in identifying and implementing a broad spectrum of airport management, financial, and development policies and practices. Quadrex Aviation was established based primarily on the progressively diversified and unique project experience of the firm's principal. The firm’s key strengths are in the planning and development of environmental, financial, and strategic resources for airports.
Bringing over 30 years of experience in the aviation industry, Pavlik and Associates understands the perspectives of both the academic and the practitioner. Pavlik and Associates served as the prime consultant in the North Texas Aviation Education Initiative sponsored by the North Central Texas Council of Governments. Pavlik and its team of aviation education specialists were retained to conduct a comprehensive study of existing assets and resources and to develop a far-reaching strategic business plan that created the foundation for an integrated aviation education and employment system that has become the vision and goals for today’s industry standards. Pavlik also just recently completed a five-year contract with Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport that involved the strategic development of the Airport's Public Affairs Department, broadening its responsibilities and repositioning the group as Corporate Communications. Pavlik helped to lead the international rebranding of the world's 9th busiest airport. Other responsibilities included developing and guiding execution of strategic communications plans as well as assisting with communications required for situation management—all while maintaining stakeholder and community engagement as a top priority.
Since 1950, experts at the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) have developed solutions to the problems and challenges facing all modes of transportation. A member of The Texas A&M University System, TTI has a breadth and depth of programs, facilities and capabilities unsurpassed by any other higher-education affiliated transportation research organization in the United States. The Institute’s research and development program has resulted in significant breakthroughs across all facets of transportation. TTI research is widely known as an excellent value with a proven impact of saving lives, time and resources. The Institute conducts more than 700 research projects annually with over 200 sponsors at all levels of government and the private sector. In 2017, TTI had research expenditures totaling $62.5 million.
DPrather Aviation Solutions, LLC was founded by Dr. Daniel Prather, A.A.E., CAM. This boutique consulting firm has authored seven ACRP Synthesis projects, with an additional two Synthesis projects currently in progress. Dr. Prather brings 10 years of airport managerial experience, along with 12 years of higher education experience to his clients. He has developed the nation’s newest collegiate aviation program, which includes an aviation management major, at California Baptist University. As an industry-recognized trainer, speaker, educator, and consultant, Dr. Prather brings a unique skillset to this project.
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