RS&H has a new aviation service group and a new leader to run it.
The new Environmental Stewardship and Resiliency Service Group will build on the existing consulting services RS&H provides, including its aviation planning and environmental planning services. The new service group will focus on aviation-specific environmental compliance and sustainability issues facing the nation’s airports today.
New RS&H Vice President John Lengel will lead the group.
“While day-to-day environmental compliance will form the base of services, specialty consulting services in the areas of airport deicer management, sustainability, climate change resiliency and adaptation are becoming even more significant focus areas for the firm,” Lengel said. “These focus areas are especially important as airports embark on significant infrastructure investments. These investments must perform under highly variable and changing environmental conditions for many decades.”
Lengel arrives at RS&H with nearly a quarter century worth of experience working on airport projects, starting with Rickenbacker International Airport in Columbus, Ohio. Lengel managed the environmental team that helped convert the old Lockbourne Air Force Base into the modern cargo airport it is today.
Since moving to Columbus in 1994, Lengel has worked almost exclusively on aviation projects around the country, focusing on environmental compliance, permitting and water resource management. He even worked with RS&H on a few projects, developing a relationship that ultimately led him to join the firm.
“RS&H has a great vision that I feel like I can contribute to,” Lengel said. “It is a great opportunity for me to make sure we have the tools, resources and staff to meet the growing needs of our aviation clients.”
Adding to the exceptional aviation and environmental planning, airfield and landside engineering and terminal architecture expertise, the new environmental stewardship and resiliency service offerings will continue RS&H’s leadership in meeting the full-service needs of its aviation clients.
“More and more airports want to be proactive when it comes to incorporating future environmental requirements,” Lengel said. “We will be working closely with our clients to identify potential threats in the planning and development process to work on designs with these things in mind.”