Iana Tassada
Vice President/Aviation Group Manager
JE Dunn Construction
Age: 35
- Alma Mater: Georgia Institute of Technology
- Favorite Aircraft: Whatever aircraft is taking me to my favorite places
- Favorite Book: Title, author Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek
- Favorite TV Show: Modern Family
- Favorite Movie: Love Actually (cheesy but it’s my favorite movie during the holidays)
- Favorite Hobbies: Most anything outdoors – hiking, camping, snowboarding, cross country skiing, traveling
As vice president/aviation project executive for JE Dunn, Iana Tassada oversees the strategic direction and growth of the aviation sector. Her duties include marketing the aviation group; cultivating client relationships; assembling project teams and maintaining high-level project execution. She’s also counted on to lend direction and expertise to JE Dunn’s pursuit of aviation projects nationwide.
She spent the first half of her 13 years in the industry advancing through the operations ranks. In 2012, JE Dunn selected her to lead the company’s market development strategy for aviation.
“It’s a very challenging market,” she said. “You’re constantly learning. Once you think you have something figured out, things adjust.”
Since Tassada joined JE Dunn’s aviation market group, it has performed nearly $200 million in contracted work at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Projects include HVAC upgrades in Concourse T and the aviation group’s near-completion of a $100 million airside modernization project.
Aviation is a dynamic industry that is challenging and very fast paced. It draws very talented and smart individuals who are consistently moving the industry forward. It’s inspiring to work around these people and be part of something that is continually improving and growing.
Many of Tassada’s efforts are under the umbrella of JE Dunn’s flagship Minority Business Development Program. This initiative sharpens the competitiveness of MWBEs by enhancing their industry-specific skills and operations, promoting mutually beneficial connections and relationships, and cultivating MWBEs as long-term trade partner.
“I’m personally very customer focused. I really care about the construction experience,” she said. “We try to make it a very positive experience throughout the construction process.”
She also helped develop the company’s internal diversity goals. In 2016, Tassada collaborated with the east region’s diversity manager to launch a Diversity Newsletter to highlight industry goings-on, profile MWBE trade partners and alert them to project bid opportunities. She now co-edits the newsletter.
Tassada holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology. She’s a member of the Georgia Tech Civil Engineering Advisory Board, Atlanta Airport Area Chamber of Commerce, Greater Atlanta Economic Alliance and Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council’s Mentor-Protégé Program.
