National engineering firm hires former FDOT official for leadership post

Woolpert, an international engineering and aviation consulting firm, has hired Aaron Smith, an experienced aviation manager with the Florida Department of Transportation, as a program director. Woolpert has an office in St. Petersburg, and is based in Dayton, Ohio.

Smith has about 25 years of experience in aviation, according to a Woolpert news release.

Woolpert says Smith has special expertise in aviation system planning, airport development, safety regulations and more. Such experience will help Woolpert "provide infrastructure and operational improvements for its general aviation and commercial airport clients throughout the region."

The Ohio-based consulting firm has Florida offices in St. Petersburg, Pensacola, Jacksonville, Orlando and Miami. 

"With Woolpert, I'm looking forward to building upon my longstanding relationships with the state's community of public and private sector aviation professionals, working in partnership to ensure Florida maintains its reputation as a worldwide leader in aviation and aerospace," Smith says in the news release.

At FDOT, Smith won Florida Airports Council's Aviation Leadership Award and was named the FDOT Division of Strategic Development Leader of the Year. Smith led the state’s $250 million annual aviation infrastructure program and directed the development and implementation of a five-year, $1.5 billion infrastructure work program.

A longtime member of the American Association of Airport Executives, Smith also served as FDOT's representative to local, state, and federal agencies, boards, and industry associations.

"Aaron's knowledge of the state, its regulations, and funding greatly benefits our Florida clients and beyond," says Zach Shuman, Woolpert aviation practice lead, in a statement.

Shuman says Smith's experience is vital for Woolpert to work and grow in Florida, one of the most expansive states for aviation, aeronautics and growth in general.

Woolpert specializes in architecture, engineering and geospatial work — known as AEG — and strategic consulting. Founded in 1911 in Dayton, Woolpert says it has more than 2,000 employees and more than 60 offices on five continents.