Baer joins Arup's N.Y. office as principal

Arup, a multidisciplinary engineering and consulting firm with a reputation for delivering innovative and sustainable designs, revealed that Susan Baer has joined the firm as a principal and global aviation planning leader. Based in Arup's N.Y. office, Baer will be responsible for leading Arup's efforts in aviation planning and management consulting for existing and new clients. A 37-year veteran of the Port Authority of N.Y. & N.J., Baer was the first person in agency history to manage all of the major Port Authority airports. She was appointed general manager of LaGuardia Airport in 1994, general manager of New Jersey Airports (Newark and Teterboro) in 1998, and general manager of Kennedy Airport in 2007. She was named deputy director/chief operating officer of the Aviation Department in 2008 and became director of aviation in 2009, managing a five airport system. "Today, the aviation industry faces increasingly complex challenges. Reducing costs and increasing revenue in both aeronautical and non-aeronautical offerings are critical to the success of airports and airlines," said Mahadev Raman, chairman of Arup Americas. "Coupling Sue's 30 years of experience with Arup's technical skills will allow us to put forward-thinking strategy, design and technology into practice, whether advising clients on aviation planning, policy or finance, or delivering smarter airport operations and infrastructure." Baer serves on the Board of Vaughn College of Aeronautics, the Newark Museum and the Wings Club. In addition, she was one of only three airport representatives among the 19 members of the Future of Aviation Advisory Committee created by U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, and was a member of the NextGen Advisory Committee - one of just two airport operators on this advisory panel to the Federal Aviation Administration. "Overseeing the world's busiest airport system that includes airports large and small has given me a unique perspective on the challenges airports face in today's competitive environment," Baer says. "I am very excited about the opportunity to use what I have learned in my transportation career to help airports and airlines build the infrastructure and business structures they need to meet the challenges of today's transportation industry and position themselves for future growth. It is gratifying to be able to give something back to the industry I love." Baer holds a bachelor's degree in urban studies and anthropology from Barnard College and a master's degree in business administration from New York University. Sue is a member of the International Aviation Women's Association, Airports Council Institute (ACI), American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), Women's Forum of NYC, and Women's Transportation Seminar. Arup's aviation experience spans more than half a century and over 100 airports. From aviation planning and project finance to environmental sustainability and passenger terminals, Arup's rich history includes projects at JFK International Airport; Los Angeles International Airport; Raleigh-Durham International Airport; Toronto Pearson International Airport; London Heathrow Airport, Saudi Arabia's King Abdulaziz International Airport, and Beijing Capital International Airport, amongst many others.