Elevating the Aviation Industry with TYLin's Peter Aarons
Three key pillars — Approachable People, Proven Capabilities, and Global Experience — are the foundation of the TYLin brand and the reason for our success.
This edition of Connection Builders profiles Peter Aarons, Senior Vice President and Aviation Sector Leader, Americas. His career spans 35 years, during which he’s held management positions at a major airport authority agency and at national engineering firms. Read about how Peter’s career was shaped early on by a mentor and what his goals are for TYLin’s Aviation Sector in the Americas.
What attracted you to TYLin? What do you enjoy most about the company? How is it different from other companies you’ve worked for?
There were several reasons I was attracted to TYLin (Peter joined TYLin in September 2023). First, is the opportunity to expand the company’s aviation market sector nationally and globally; there are tremendous opportunities that I believe TYLin, with its broad scope of services and capabilities, is well positioned to capture.
Then there’s TYLin’s corporate culture. Since we are not employee-owned or publicly traded, there is an atmosphere that is more like that of a private entrepreneurial company. In my experience, this type of culture fosters greater career development and growth opportunities for talented professionals at all levels in the organization.
What or who inspired your pursuit of a career in the aviation sector?
Without question it was Greg Moix, my boss — my mentor — at the San Francisco Airport Authority who I worked with for about five years. He was a former airline executive and advised me that a degree in management or aviation would give me the experience and background I’d need if I wanted to run an airport one day!
He also included me in meetings which provided me with great early career learning experiences; I got to witness the interaction of teams and executives on a firsthand basis. He was a great mentor and remains a friend to this day.
What keeps you motivated at this point in your career?
I have always been passionate about solving the “passenger journey” problems at airports and love working in an industry where we are able to help solve major challenges for clients and travelers like us — after all, we are passengers too!
Aviation as an industry itself has always motivated me as well. The number of opportunities to work on new infrastructure programs at airports will continue to fuel the industry’s growth into the next generation. These are exciting times.
What do you think are your greatest strengths as an executive?
Like Greg, my mentor, did for me, I think developing teams and mentoring others is one of the things I do best and is most rewarding for me.
What has been the defining moment of your career?
Leaving the San Francisco Airport Authority and becoming a construction manager and consultant on one of the largest international terminal building programs in the country (at the time) was a pivotal moment in my career. I transitioned from being a civil servant to being totally immersed in the engineering and construction industry. Joining the private sector has turned out to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.
My direct involvement in the post-9/11 Department of Homeland Security/TSA checked baggage inspection program was another milestone for me. I learned the intricacies involved in the process of securing US government funding and had opportunities to interact with federal security directors and airport executives in board rooms. This experience helped define who I am today as an aviation industry executive.
What have been the skills that have helped you succeed most in your career thus far?
Communications, collaboration, and a willingness to partner are skills I think are essential in almost any career. These three traits, I’ve found, are the underpinnings of the TYLin culture and are largely what attracted me to the company.
What are your professional goals? What are your goals for TYLin’s Aviation Sector?
My personal professional goal is to leave TYLin’s Aviation Sector in better shape than when I found it. There aren’t major issues, but there is always room for growth.
For TYLin, my goals are centered around the growth and expansion of our aviation practice. I’d like to see our Aviation sector included in the top 10 of ENR rankings as the premier infrastructure firm and employer of choice where engineers and aviation professionals can enjoy a great career.
If provided $1M investment to address a major challenge within in the aviation space, what problem would you tackle?
I’d start to address the passenger processing at airports. The security screening experience at airport checkpoints needs a lot of improvement, as I’m sure many of us can attest to.
What industry trend will impact aviation infrastructure most significantly in the next decade?
Airports are a microcosm of cities and the infrastructure challenges facing both — municipalities and airports — are similar. Sustainability improvements, including electrification and power and energy initiatives, and improving mass transit serving travelers at major airports while not disrupting operations will continue to challenge airports just as these and other issues are now affecting cities.
How do you think TYLin’s brand positioning – Connecting people, places and ideas —applies to the work you do?
Airports are all about passengers, the ultimate customer. Airlines and airport operations, by definition, are places for people to interact. Designing and engineering airports with a sense of place is what TYLin is all about. Innovative ideas provide solutions to some of the most complicated issues at airports.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to others about their careers?
I like to offer three pieces of advice.
To start, lean-in and don’t be afraid to try something new. New experiences will expand your capabilities and help your professional growth.
Secondly, if you’re invited to a meeting, contribute if you have the opportunity; be a participant, not an observer, if you can.
And finally, cultivate your internal company network. The people you have relationships with might be able to help you achieve a goal you may have. These internal contacts are just as important as those in your external network.