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From vision to reality: Dallas Fort Worth Airport's Integrated Operations Center
Journal of Airport Management,
17
(1),
44-56
(2022)
Abstract
In 2017, after several high-profile incidents at domestic airports, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and Transportation Security Administration Administrator, emphasised the need for integrated facilities, staffed by teams from both internal and external stakeholders, to work collaboratively on day-to-day operations, incidents and events. Consideration for the complexity of the air travel landscape and the opportunities presented with technological advances, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) executive leadership developed a strategic initiative to create such a capability. In April of 2021, DFW's Integrated Operations Center (IOC) opened its doors. What it took to get from concept to reality is the focus of this paper. Lessons were learned along the way related to several factors, such as managing an operational and cultural change, balancing the human element with the technological and pivoting from an operational model based on reacting to events and situations to a model that is more predictive in nature.
Keywords: safe and secure; airports; integrated; DFW Airport
The full article is available to subscribers to the journal.
Author's Biography
Steve Roque is the Assistant Vice President of the Integrated Operations Center (IOC). He is responsible for the implementation of the vision, strategy and direction for the IOC and was instrumental in the development of a team to execute the IOC mission. In his previous role with Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), he served as the Assistant Vice President of Operations Control, where he directed the transition of the General Aviation Fuelling Operations from third-party vendor to airport staff. Steve also partnered with American Airlines to cross-train staff to take on the ramp control function of board gates. He was an integral participant in the design and process development of DFW's new Integrated Operations Center while serving in this capacity. Before joining DFW Airport in August 2018, he served in various key airport operations roles such as the Division Manager of Operations at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. In this capacity, he successfully enacted organisational change of over 150+ employees and directed the safe operations of five terminal buildings over 250+ acres, terminal roads, all outlying buildings, parking garages and corporate headquarters. He also managed crucial, high-visibility events. Steve has more than 20 years of experience in aviation operations and is a recipient of the ‘Airport Business Top 40 Under 40’ award. Steve holds a Single/Multi-Engine Instrument Commercial Pilot licence. He is a certified member of the Association of Airport Executives. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in aviation management from the Florida Institute of Technology.
Lance Bodine serves as Vice President, Integrated Operations Center (IOC) at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). He directed the overall implementation of DFW's key strategic initiative to open a state-of-the-art, fully integrated, operations and emergency centre, known as the ‘IOC’. He is fortunate to lead a very talented, matrixed, cross-functional team from across the enterprise to execute their continuous support mission to the airport and its stakeholders. Lance joined the DFW Airport team in February 2019. Prior to joining DFW, he served as acting director, deputy director and senior programme manager at Sierra Nevada Corporation in Denver, Colorado, and program integrator and programme manager at Bell Helicopter Textron (Bell-Boeing V-22 Tiltrotor Aircraft Program) in Amarillo, Texas. In these roles, Lance was accountable for directing global, special mission flight operations programmes, conducting special mission aircraft aircrew and maintenance training for the United States Air Force (USAF), Department of Defense (DOD) contractors and partner nations, and executive management of a $4bn aircraft development and manufacturing programme. Lance holds a multi-engine, commercial airplane and rotorcraft pilot certificate and is type rated in the Sikorsky S-65. He is a certified member of the American Association of Airport Executives and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications (Radio/TV) from Ohio University, and a Master's degree in aviation management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Irene Clark is an experienced communicator with more than 25 years' experience in the aviation industry, including American Airlines and Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport. Irene has served in leadership positions in both the communication arena and training & development. In addition to internal and executive communications, her areas of expertise include change management and mentoring. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in interdisciplinary studies and a Master’s degree of business administration in marketing.
