Photo above – In 2018, Pam Keidel-Adams, second from left, joined aviation stakeholders at a private night tour of the Federal Express operation when Pam was providing airport consulting services to Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority. (Courtesy photograph.)
With over 30 years of aviation planning expertise, Pam Keidel-Adams, Vice-President at Kimley-Horn, has extensive experience in aviation system planning, economic impact, air service development, activity forecasting, public outreach, airport development and planning, and project management. She has managed and collaborated with large teams, including aviation planners and engineers, transportation economists, and freight professionals in offices across the United States.
Pam often shares her knowledge at national, state, and regional conferences on topics ranging from air service to airport economic impact. In April 2020, she was named Chair of the Aviation Group for the Transportation Research Board (TRB). As one of seven major divisions of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, TRB promotes innovation and progress in transportation through research. TRB provides trusted, timely, impartial, and evidence-based information exchange, research, and advice regarding all modes of transportation. Recently, Pam was recognized by TRNews for more than 30 years of aviation leadership by the TRB.
Pam said, “My relationship with TRB has allowed me to learn about aviation issues I had not had access to before, from air quality to the FAA’s modernization of the U.S. airspace system. These experiences have given me deeper insights into issues that affect the aviation system, and I’ve used the experience to expand my opportunities.”
How did you first get inspired to work in the aviation industry?
My interest in transportation and, eventually aviation, started in college at the University of Cincinnati. I was introduced to aviation planning through a co-op/internship program at Landrum & Brown. One of my professors recommended me for the aviation planning co-op position that was in town. He noted the staff flew up to Chicago quite a bit and that at times people flew up just for the day. During my time there, I was so excited when I was asked to fly from Cincinnati to Chicago for two work trips. I was happy with the work, which involved mapping analysis on a FAR Part 150 Noise Study for Chicago Midway Airport, one of the first of these studies ever done. I identified noise-sensitive land uses and then integrated the information into a predecessor of GIS. I was fortunate that when I graduated two years later, I was hired for an aviation planning position with another firm in town. I have been an aviation planner ever since.
What’s your first memory of aviation?
My first memory is of my grandparents flying from Chicago to visit us in Cincinnati when I was maybe three years old. After that, every time I looked in the sky and spotted an airplane, I would think about them and wonder who was flying in that plane. In sixth grade, I got the opportunity to fly by myself to visit an exchange family I had met through school. The family was in Ontario, Canada. I flew by myself to Detroit. I enjoyed every minute. I have many happy flight memories. I still enjoy flying nearly every week to this day.
Who has inspired you the most (any mentors you want to mention?)
I’ve been fortunate to have been inspired by many men and women throughout my career. Through my participation in numerous industry organizations (Transportation Research Board [TRB], Airport Consultants Council [ACC], the National Association of State Aviation Officials [NASAO], and many other organizations, as well as consulting work at airports and state organizations across the U.S. I’ve been blessed with meeting some incredibly smart, talented professionals that have shaped my career in one way or another. From those that taught me the “soft side” of working with people, both clients and partners, to technical writing skills and public speaking (my original least favorite), all of which were not strengths when I started in the industry, I have been inspired and gained learned lessons from bosses, peers, young professionals, clients, competitors, and friends.
For over 20 years I worked with Barb Fritsche and Scott Sanders, both of whom I learned from and partnered with. Scott and I built our careers together over several different firms, leaving two jobs together at the same time to join new firms together. I was also fortunate to meet my husband through work. Gary has been my biggest champion—always giving me great advice and counsel after his more than 40 years in the aviation industry. It’s great to go home and talk to him about a project or aviation issue and he understands, often bringing a different perspective that I maybe hadn’t thought of.
Advice for other women inside our industry or thinking about aviation and aerospace?
I love talking to women about their careers and the aviation industry. I didn’t know there were many careers in aviation other than being an airline pilot until I got to college. While I wasn’t successful in convincing my daughter to go into aviation (instead she went into transportation engineering and planning), I speak to many women about the aviation industry and, specifically airports. There are so many career paths and even specialized focus areas that people don’t recognize that are applicable to airports.
The advice I’ve given to my daughter and others is to make sure you enjoy what you do and to continue learning. I’ve been a planner my entire career but have worked more recently with engineers, aerospace professionals, and airspace specialists that continue to help me grow and expand my knowledge of the industry and see all the perspectives and opportunities. From electrification to advanced air mobility, sustainable aviation fuels, and commercial space, the industry keeps evolving and creating new prospects to learn and get engaged and find new passion for aviation activity. I’ve been involved in an effort to get a national Girl Scout aviation badge. The women I’ve met and worked with in this endeavor are so impressive. I’ve continued to learn that the industry is extraordinarily diverse and that there are a lot of smart women making major contributions around the world.
Additional Background?
I currently serve as part of Kimley-Horn’s Aviation Leadership Team, providing support to the entire practice along with my partners. I started my career in 1987 in a co-op/internship and have continued as an aviation planner. With a B.S. in Urban Administration, I joined Aviation Planning Associates (now WSP) and grew my knowledge as I moved to positions in a few other firms. I engaged with TRB and ACC early in my career and am currently the TRB Aviation Group Chair and on the Board of Directors for ACC. The rewards of active participation and support for these organizations has greatly benefited my career and my life, where I try to give as much back as I know I’m getting from being involved and contributing to the industry.
