New RS&H Aviation Leader Eyes Growth for Industry

RS&H, one of the largest aviation engineering, architecture and planning firms in the U.S., will soon have a new aviation leader. RS&H Senior Vice President Rodney Bishop, Jr. will serve as Aviation Practice Director starting April 2, replacing the retiring Don Andrews.

While with RS&H, Bishop has served in various aviation roles of increasing responsibility and in company-level committees and initiatives. Now, the Houston, Texas resident is ready to lead a team of nearly 250 aviation professionals as they help create a better airport experience.

“His deep understanding of the aviation market, proven technical skills, strong client relationships, successful experience in growing a region, and operational acumen made him an ideal candidate to consider,” said RS&H Executive Vice President Lisa Robert. “We are thankful he has embraced this opportunity, and we’re excited to see where he will lead our national aviation efforts.”

Extensive Industry Experience

Bishop has 29 years of professional aviation design, planning, construction management and project management experience, including his last 13 years at RS&H.

Now taking the helm of RS&H’s aviation efforts, Bishop hopes to drive new opportunities and expand RS&H’s footprint in the industry.

“I’m really excited for this opportunity to continue expanding our aviation capabilities,” Bishop said. “We see some big opportunities coming out of the pandemic, and we want to grow. We’re going to do whatever we can to increase our footprint across the country.”

Looking Ahead to the Industry’s Next Chapter

As we approach the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s evident there are some opportunities for innovation and growth for the aviation industry. Even with a steady pace of vaccination underway, the challenges the industry faces won’t disappear overnight, meaning it will take some time for both business and leisure travel to return to their pre-pandemic highs.

However, this period of transition to the “new normal” is exactly the right moment for airports to update their infrastructure and fix any lingering issues. The potential federal stimulus money on the way can make it possible, Bishop said.

“Now is the time to make the changes you have to as they won’t cause as big of a headache with passenger traffic still down,” Bishop said. “There is a great opportunity for airports right now to fix their infrastructure issues and minimize the impact of construction.”

Environmental projects could benefit from targeted stimulus funds, as could terminal projects focused on enabling facilities to turn on a dime should another pandemic or similar situation strike, Bishop added.

“I think in a few years when the industry is back to 2019 travel levels – and it might take until 2023,” Bishop said, “we’ll be better prepared from a pandemic perspective and from a Customs and Border Patrol perspective, having more safeguards for passengers entering these facilities.”

Learn more about RS&H’s rich aviation experience and how we help our clients solve their biggest airport questions.