november-december 2021 - 30

Nicole Robinson Owens, MPM, CQM
Age: 39
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Alma Mater: University of
Michigan, Undergraduate;
Northwestern University,
Graduate School
Fun fact about yourself:
I play tennis in young adult
women's leagues
Someone I look up
to in the industry:
Justina Mann, director of
program management -
Infrastructure at HAS
As assistant director, Project Delivery, Infrastructure, for the
Houston Airport System, Nicole Owens and her team are responsible
for successfully delivering over 100 capital projects,
totaling nearly $1 billion, on time, under budget and with the
level of quality that meets HAS standards to contribute to the
success of the organization and the City of Houston at large.
" The management of projects heavily depends upon our Capital
Improvement Plan, and execution based upon priorities for
the airport system. At times, this can appear to be a moving
target as it requires the ability to adjust and meet the demands
of emergency repairs or unanticipated conditions, but we are
strategic in our planning and preparation for this. It requires
us to be forward-thinking by reflecting on lessons learned,
and work with and consider nearly every stakeholder within
the airport system ranging from passengers to tenants as well
as our internal stakeholders, " said Owens.
Owens' construction management career was inspired by
both her parents who managed construction firms in Chicago
and mentored other small minority firms in achieving success.
She started her own career in high school, with an internship
in Chicago with the Cook County Government's Capital Programming
& Policy Department. After graduating college and
gaining experience working with private contractors around
Chicago's transportation and municipal-based projects, Owens
moved to Jackson, Mississippi and served as capital program
manager for the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority - shaping
her focus on aviation.
" I really enjoyed learning more about the program's processes,
including the intricacies required to work with the FAA for grant
funding, to work with the city for approval and appropriations
of funds. Airports have exponentially evolved to mini cities.
They have become a major economic core and you've got
anything and everything that offers comfort and convenience
of service and amenities for passengers, but within the assets
and properties of the airport environment, " Owens said.
Since that time, Owens was recruited by the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) as planner over 73 airports in Mississippi,
both commercial and general aviation, and now utilizes her
talents with the Houston Airport System. Owens initially led
HAS's new sustainability program, working towards optimizing
lowered emissions, energy efficiency and recycling. She
was selected to lead the Job Order Contracting (JOC) and
Remediation Services program, and then again promoted to
Assistant Director overseeing Capital projects,
www.AviationPros.com/21244950
Alex Renteria-Aguilar
" What kind of chocolate do they sell at the airport? " " Plane
chocolate. "
During the pandemic, people have had to get creative and find
new ways to engage with one another. Denver International
Airport (DEN) shared a few jokes in " Just Plane Funny, " its
virtual Camp DEN, offering fun for all ages.
Age: 33
Years in aviation: 3
Hometown: Denver,
Colorado
Alma Mater: University of
Northern Colorado
Someone I look up to in
the industry: Latina women
who have forged a path in
aviation.
Fun fact about yourself:
My husband and I are
currently remodeling our
home. I take my hat off to
all of the airports currently
under construction.
DEN Public Information Officer Alex Renteria-Aguilar, who came
up with the idea, said, " When the pandemic hit, everybody
stopped traveling, and we stopped going to the airport. We
wanted to keep engaging our customers and our passengers
without them having to be inside the airport so we developed
Camp DEN. " Activities, now suggested activities while waiting
for a flight, include learning the " phonetic " airport alphabet
and watching videos of the pets in the airport's pet therapy
program. In 2020, Alex Renteria-Aguilar also led a virtual tour
series to help stakeholders keep updated on key projects and
operations at the airport.
Her leadership skills and understanding of the airport also
helped her inform the public during the 2021 blizzard. " What
I like to say is DEN knows snow, " Renteria-Aguilar said. " We
are no stranger to weather. Our state and our city, we get it.
Especially when it comes to our snow operations. "
In March 2019, there was the " bomb cyclone. " " It was insane, "
she said. " I slept at the airport a couple of nights because we
were supporting passengers who were stranded overnight. It
wasn't just me, it was our whole team. Passing out blankets,
overnight kits, food vouchers and then providing information
on social media to passengers. It got so bad at one point that
we were recommending that people not come to the airport
because flights weren't getting out. It's amazing to see the
airport at its finest - and I think that's when we're in crisis
mode. Our airport is incredible. Our snow team can clear a
runway in 15 minutes or less. "
Renteria-Aguilar's job seems anything but dull. " Being in public
relations can be tough, with demanding hours and complex
topics to digest. I love the fast pace and constant learning, "
she said. " I truly love my job. I'd say my favorite thing about it
is the passionate people I get to work alongside. Many of my
team members have been at the airport since it opened more
than 25 years ago. The people who make up DEN are aviation
enthusiasts and care deeply about their jobs. "
In addition to serving as a public information officer, Renteria-Aguilar
mentors a high school intern and is a member of
the airport's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion team.
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november-december 2021

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