Karen Korir: Juggles Multiple Aviation Tasks
Managing Aviation Planner
Houston Airport System
Age: 36
Years in Aviation: 12
Memberships: AAAE
Did you know?
Korir provides coaching sessions to colleagues prepare for AAAE certification.
Karen Korir chose a career in aviation planning because of its complex interdisciplinary body of work. She explains on any given day “you are dealing with engineering, architecture, law regulations, finance, operations, corporate strategy, project management, and the list goes on.” Korir juggles a lot as an aviation industry planner for the world’s busiest airports. She currently serves as managing planner for Houston Airport System, covering three airports that include George Bush InterContinental Airport, Hobby Airport and Ellington Airport. She led the program planning effort for the $1.5 billion InterContinental Airport Terminal Redevelopment Program (ITRP) that includes a new international terminal, expansion and reconfiguration of Federal Inspection Service, a new vehicle parking garage and other infrastructure improvements. This leadership undertaking involved rigorous technical planning effort and coordination with hub airline United, foreign flag airlines, federal agencies and other airport stakeholders. Korir also served in an executive level negotiation committee with United Airlines, which resulted in a successful agreement to transfer an existing terminal facility to accommodate the proposed development plans. The program plan for this effort has received several accolades across the industry. Korir has been involved in providing planning support for the development of new master plans for Houston’s airports. She provided planning support for the spaceport study program for Ellington Airport that resulted in the FAA granting Houston Airport System a license in June to build and operate a commercial spaceport. Earlier in her career, Korir worked at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International airport as the lead aviation facilities manager for three of its busiest concourses where she oversaw implementation of renovation projects. Korir earned her American Airport Executive accreditation in 2012, her Master’s degree in 2005 from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and her undergraduate in 2002 from Coe College, Iowa.
