Will Watkins: Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Project Manager - DFW Airport / TRIP
Lea+Elliott
Age: 35
Years in Aviation: 5
Memberships: ACI-NA, GWBAA (Greater Washington Business Aviation Association), and AMAC (Airport Minority Advisory Council)
Did you know?
Watkins is learning Spanish and plans to work at a major airport in a Spanish speaking country in the near future.
Will Watkins’ career path has been one of planes, trains and automobiles. From roadway design to light rail transit construction, Watkins has been on an endless ride for excitement. He enjoys the level of intensity that comes from managing over $150 million dollars of work at one of the world’s busiest airports, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Watkins is employed by Lea+Elliott Inc., headquartered in Grand Prairie, Texas. Watkins is currently a project manager for several construction projects for the $3.2 billion Terminal Renewal and Improvement Program at DFW Airport, including the new DART Rail Station at Terminal A and new parking garage at Terminal E. The DART Rail Station was a unique project with the Station structure being designed and built by DFW Airport’s Team while the tracks, traction power, signal & communications were designed and built by DART’s Team. The existing Terminal D Parking Garage was retrofitted to receive and intuitive Parking Guidance System complete with dynamic way finding and real-time counting and monitoring. The Terminal E Enhanced Parking Structure Project includes a new carousel roadway system with dedicated entry and exit road as well as a new 4,000-car garage. From his experience, he feels a technical approach to project management is the most effective way to obtain consistent project success. He also has a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Mississippi State University and a Master’s degree in Engineering Management from Southern Methodist University. Watkins is also a fitness enthusiast and enjoys trail running and hiking. He has called Dallas his home for 10 years.
