The wheels of interest for aviation began turning for Edwin Tamang when he was in elementary school. During a career day, a local veteran of the U.S. Air Force came to Tamang’s class to present, dressed in his flight suit and fighter pilot helmet.
“I remember him dumping the helmet on my head. He only had one and he picked me, and it felt like a ton on my head,” Tamang recounted. “He introduced me to the world of aviation and aeronautical engineering. He talked to me about his experiences within the Department of Defense and as a contractor outside of it, and those were all amazing things, but what I found the most intriguing was, this was the first example I had seen of somebody so passionate about what they did and the industry that they were in. Before, I had thought a job was just something you did.”
In 2006, Tamang joined Kimley-Horn and shortly after transferred from development services to the aviation practice. He quickly gained knowledge of the design, coordination, and production of airfield development projects and became highly experienced in performing pavement condition inspections – part of pavement management programs and planning studies.
In his 14 years with the firm, Tamang has tripled the size of the Pavement Management team and has worked on over 11 statewide airport pavement system programs and over 80 aviation projects, which include airport systems in Florida and California, and pavement programs for airports such as Orlando International, Dallas Love Field, McCarran International, San Diego International, and Nashville International. Since 2015, he has been a part of terminal design programs at large commercial airports. At Orlando International Airport he was Deputy Project Manager for the initial 16-gate phase for $3.1 billion South Terminal Complex C. At Los Angeles International Airport, he is part of the $1.6 billion Midfield Satellite Concourse 12-gate program.
“I enjoy partnering with very passionate people, being able to witness their genius and growth beyond their own expectations. And being a part of making amazing, work products, tools, and deliverables for clients that help further their goals,” Tamang said.
As a Florida DOT Aviation Office Certified Instructor, he has taught roughly 800 aviation staff through the FDOT Airfield Pavement Inspection and Repair Training Course. Since 2017, Edwin has also volunteered with the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Civil Engineering Department for the cadet capstone project program and industry outreach.
“That’s one of the more enjoyable things, not only receiving great coaching and mentorship, but taking it to that next level and sharing it with others, as well,” added Tamang.
Being part of a system that makes air travel easily attainable for the public is an aspect of his work that Tamang takes pride in both professionally and personally.
“Accessible air travel is the thing that made it possible for my parents to immigrate here and establish themselves in the United States,” Tamang said. “I like being part of an industry that continues to make air travel accessible, safe, and reliable, while continuing to improve on the passenger experience. Our efforts continue to bring people together safely.”
