Employee Stories
Meet Monica Geygan
We are honored to introduce you to Landrum & Brown’s (L&B) Monica Geygan, Associate Vice President. Monica works out of L&B’s office in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she focuses on Master Planning and Airport Layout Plans (ALPs) and manages on-call contracts.
When did you join L&B?
I joined L&B’s Cincinnati office in 1997 after working for two other aviation consulting firms: Aviation Planning Associates (AvPlan) and Airport Technology and Planning Group (AirTech). I joined AvPlan as an Analyst in the summer after graduating from Ohio’s Miami University in 1989. I came with a degree in Architecture and considerable experience with a relatively new technology at the time called computer-aided design (CAD).
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration was starting to require airports to generate ALP drawing sets in AutoCAD, so AvPlan hired me to transition their hand-generated ALP drawing sets into AutoCAD while teaching me airport planning. Once AvPlan's AutoCAD department was fully established and operational, I joined AirTech, a newly formed, woman-owned aviation planning company, where I worked on all facets of Airport Master Planning, and preparing ALP Drawing Sets.
In 1997, I joined L&B as a Consultant in the Facilities & Operations (F&O) Service Line and, over time, worked my way up to my current position as Associate Vice President.
What are two of your most memorable projects while working with L&B?
One of my early L&B projects was the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport Master Plan and ALP Drawing Set, which eventually led to the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), also completed by L&B, and the design/construction for the new outboard parallel Runway 6L-33R. This was my first experience with a very large project and consultant team, and it was so exciting to be part of a team of dedicated professionals as we worked through the challenges associated with the project. I learned a lot about how important the planning process is in successfully defending a great plan and proving the need for a project. And then to see the project built? There is nothing like it!
Another memorable experience for me was in 2005, the first time L&B pursued and won the Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA) On-Call Planning Contract for the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall (BWI) and Martin State (MTN) Airports. What stands out for me is not necessarily one specific project or task assignment under the on-call, but the TEAMWORK I first experienced at L&B in our efforts to win the contract.
This teamwork is what has kept me at L&B for over 27 years. From the marketing and positioning efforts undertaken in the 18 months before the release of the Request for Proposal (RFP) and the development of the approach for the presentation to the presentation itself and then the execution of the contract as the deputy project manager – it was and has been a team effort.
L&B has allowed me the opportunity to experience the power of teamwork and what it can accomplish. I have seen what it takes to win a client, keep a client, and make the client successful. And as a result, I have created lifelong friendships while doing what I love every day.
What inspired you to become an Airport Master Planner?
From the first time that I interviewed for my first job with an aviation planning firm, I was captivated by the industry's uniqueness. I remember thinking, “How cool would it be to plan airports?!” and “Who knew that an airport needed to plan?!”
What still excites me to this day is the uniqueness of what I get to do every day and the fact that every day is different. Even if the subject is the same, the solution is specific to the particular project needs, so one day is never like the one before.
What personal traits or characteristics have helped you succeed in your field?
What has helped me most to succeed in my field is that I care about what I am doing and therefore, I am motivated to put all my efforts into doing the best job possible. With clients, I think my honesty and commitment to working toward a common goal have made me successful.
What technical skills have helped you advance in your career?
Early in my career, my knowledge of computer programs such as AutoCAD and my analytical and organized/critical thinking skills afforded me great success. As my career advanced, project management skills and technical writing became essential. The ability “to tell the story” is fundamental to getting buy-in for all our projects.
Who have been mentors and advisors in your career?
I have had so many remarkable mentors, advisors, and advocates throughout my career that I am hesitant to start naming them for fear I might miss one! However, there are a few that I believe are the reason I have had the success I have had in my career. They include L&B’s Matt Lee (retired) and L&B Principal Berta Fernandez, as well as other members of our industry, such as Ed Cecil, Barb Fritsche, Russ Blank, and John van Woensel.
What advice would you give to young people interested in a position such as yours?
Be enthusiastic and spirited about our work, learn to manage your time, be honest and trustworthy, never be afraid to ask questions, and meet your deadlines. If you make a mistake, own up to it – learn from it – and try not to make the same mistake twice. Talk to everyone and learn about all the company’s services and service lines.
What is one thing your industry can do to encourage more women into its ranks?
One thing our industry should do more of is to reach out to higher education institutions to inform educators and the next generation of women that Aviation Planning and its many service lines exist and require all types of backgrounds and expertise.