november-december 2021 - 26

Justin Wortman, AIA
When Justin Wortman got out of college in 2008, he got a job
with a small local architecture firm in Los Angeles that did a
lot of work with Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). He
quickly got to experience a wide range of aviation planning
exercises and fell in love with it.
" I really enjoyed the problem-solving aspect of it, " Wortman
said. " Many typologies involve formulaic or scripted approaches,
but with airports, each one really is different. "
Age: 39
Hometown: Mineral
Springs, North Carolina
Alma Mater: North Carolina
State University, University
of Southern California
Fun fact about yourself:
I'm always seeking new
experiences. Whether it's
international travel or a
cross country road trip. I
enjoy seeing new places and
taking in the local culture.
Wortman has been engaged in major airport programs across
the country where he consistently pushes innovation and
efficiency in planning and design.
" I believe in the importance of
connecting with clients on a personal
level to better understand their goals
and pressures. "
Early in his career, Wortman developed a close working relationship
with the director of terminal planning at LAX, who
was briefly embedded as in-house planning staff.
Working on the Terminal 3 West program, Wortman acted as a
bridge between San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and
airline stakeholders as the airport negotiated critical aspects
of passenger experience related to the interim conditions.
When the Chicago Department of Aviation wanted to convert
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) Terminal 5 from an international
terminal to a mix of domestic/international, Wortman
identified opportunities resulting in a roadmap that allowed
the authority to reconsider spend on long-term needs.
" I believe in the importance of connecting with clients on a
personal level to better understand their goals and pressures, "
he said. " Once you make that connection and find a common
ground, you are better able to support their needs. "
Recently, he returned to LAX where he leads the principal
architect/engineer contract for HOK and is a trusted advisor
to a new generation of leadership at LAWA.
Wortman leveraged technology to define a streamlined
approach for engaging more than 300 local firms in a virtual
outreach event during the pandemic. Each firm was provided
an opportunity to engage directly with principals at HOK for
a dedicated one-on-one. More than 170 firms were engaged
through these individual sit-downs.
Wortman serves as a mentor for DIY Girls, an organization dedicated
to the advancement of women within STEAM industries.
www.AviationPros.com/21238840
Scott Helms
Age: 39
Hometown: Moses Lake,
Washington
Alma Mater: Big Bend
Community College and
Green River College
Fun fact about yourself: I
enjoy flying RC aircraft.
Someone I look up to
in the industry: Peter
Anderson and Nate Young
My favorite thing about
aviation is: Aviation noise.
Nothing beats the sound of a
a Rolls-Royce Merlin.
Scott Helms is the general manager of Leading Edge Jet Center,
located at Boeing Field - where Helms has worked on and off
since 2005 for different FBOs around the airport. But Helms'
start in aviation began at a much younger age, he recalls.
" I grew up about a half a mile from a crop duster strip. So
I, as a young kid, 10, 12 years old, I would ride my bike to
the crop duster strip after they woke me up at 5:30 in the
morning, all the radials from the Ag Cats and Thrushes, and
then essentially bugged the crop duster enough until he gave
me a job, " Helms said.
From there, Helms graduated, as he says, into the " big airport "
- Grant County International Airport (MWH) - working for
several years at the Columbia Pacific Aviation FBO while also
taking flight lessons at a local community college. Originally
wanting to be an airline pilot, Helms eventually chose to double
down on his work with FBOs and moved to Boeing Field.
" No two days are the same. The people are fantastic and
the industry gets you - jet fuel gets in your DNA, if you will.
I just enjoy every aspect of it from fueling airplanes to flying
airplanes, " Helms said.
Helms has been the one that FBO owners have turned towards
to lead their team through big transitions and growth. Over
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roughly six years, he has worked through four different FBO
ownership transitions while increasing responsibility in each
instance.
Today Helms' team is continuing to gain market share annually
at the competitive Seattle airport that has three FBOs serving
the GA and cargo community. He has established a welcome
culture at his FBO that draws sought-after team members.
" Drawing market share at Boeing Field is definitely a highlight
in my recent career. Where I'm at right now was my competition
10 years ago. It's kind of interesting how the pendulum has
swung. From being the third on the field to soon becoming a
market leader. We are currently involved in a facility redevelopment,
tearing down our existing facility, which should happen
in the first quarter of next year and developing approximately
50,000 square feet of hangar, as well as a brand-new stateof-the-art
FBO, " Helms said.
In addition to his work at the FBO, Helms is a member of the
Pacific Northwest Business Aviation Association (PNBAA).
26 \ AIRPORTBUSINESS / NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021
UNDER
http://www.AviationPros.com/21238840 http://www.AviationPros.com/21245440
november-december 2021

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