2023 Airport Business Top 40 Under 40: Katelyn Theiss, PE

Katelyn Theiss started her career working for CHA Consulting, where she became the firm’s sole provider of electrical engineering services for CHA’s many aviation projects. Theiss joined Arora Engineers in 2022 as an airfield electrical designer, bringing with her extensive experience working on diverse civilian and military airfield projects. Upon joining Arora one year ago, Theiss had her second child, passed her PE (Principles and Practice of Engineering) exam, earned professional licensure in four states, and participated in an extensive curriculum based on FAA, U.S. military and international recommendations for Airport Certified Employee-Airfield Lighting Maintenance, and passed an exam to receive AAAE / ACE- Airfield Lighting Maintenance certification.

Since being promoted in less than one year at Arora, Theiss has served as the lead airfield electrical engineer on various high-profile aviation projects including the $40 million reconstruction of Taxiway S at Philadelphia International Airport. Additionally, she has taken charge of construction phase services for significant projects like the $80 million rehabilitation of Runway 6-24 at Lehigh Valley International Airport and the $11.5 million rehabilitation and modification of standards (MOS) improvements for Runway 5R-23L at Rickenbacker International Airport.

“I enjoy the challenge of creating customized, thorough solutions to each airfield puzzle with past, current, and future conditions in mind,” she said. “I have also enjoyed learning about emerging technologies in the airfield lighting industry and implementing them on various airfields throughout the US.”