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Transforming Pittsburgh International Airport: Building an employee culture of innovation to fuel a dramatic turnaround in a post-hub era
Journal of Airport Management,
12
(4),
370-378
(2018)
Abstract
Unfortunately, too many airports are afraid to take risks and change their stale, business-as-usual approach. Too often, airport leaders choose to err on the side of caution and simply maintain the status quo. It is safe, easy, and it damages employees’ morale. In just a few short years, Pittsburgh International Airport has become an organisation built on employee engagement, collaboration and innovation. This paper considers how this culture change put employees in the cockpit and Pittsburgh International Airport back on the radar as a leading origin and destination (O&D) airport. Among other things, the paper will discuss the following:
•Employee engagement and communication are critical to creating an innovative culture.
•How to generate ideas from all levels that are heard by leaders who can facilitate them.
•How to create a culture that encourages brainstorming where all ideas — even outlandish ones — are welcome.
•How to build high-performing teams across all levels and break down vertical organisational silos to encourage collaboration.
•How to accept that calculated risks should not be punished and that innovation victories be celebrated to create a lasting culture of innovation.
Keywords: collaboration; culture; engagement; innovation; leadership; transformation; vision
The full article is available to subscribers to the journal.
Author's Biography
Paul Hoback is Senior Vice President, Engineering, Planning and Capital Development, for the Allegheny County Airport Authority. In this role, Paul is responsible for leadership, oversight and strategic direction for Engineering and Construction, Planning, Sustainability and Natural Resources, and all Capital Development at Pittsburgh International Airport as well as Allegheny County Airport, a smaller general aviation airport in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. Paul is also responsible for Pittsburgh International Airport’s US$1.1bn terminal modernisation programme, scheduled to be completed in 2023. He has been with the Allegheny County Airport Authority for 17 years, serving in many roles from Engineering Project Manager to Vice President of Operations and Facilities and most recently as Senior Vice President of Facilities, Engineering and Maintenance. Paul has a bachelor’s of science degree in mechanical engineering as well as a master’s in business administration from Geneva College. Paul serves on numerous aviation and construction industry committees, is a Certified Member of the American Association of Airport Executives, and has been honoured by the state of Pennsylvania as the ‘Young Engineer of the Year’ by the Society of Professional Engineers. He also serves in several leadership roles within the Pittsburgh community, including President of his local library, Past President of the local Heritage Foundation, Vice-Chairman of the Water Authority, Vice-Chairman of the Planning Commission, and member of the Board of Directors for the local Education Foundation. Prior to joining the airport authority, Paul was a Process Engineer in the Research and Development Department at Veka, Inc., a vinyl window and doorframe manufacturer in Fombell, Pennsylvania. He also worked as a Production Process Engineer for Paragon Trade Brands in Harmony, Pennsylvania. Paragon Trade Brands was one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of infant disposable diapers at the time of Paul’s service.
