For this issue’s column, I would like to take the opportunity to welcome three new staff members at the Aviation Division.
Matthew Felton, Airport Planner
Matthew graduated from Auburn University in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in aviation management and logistics. His first position out of college was for a small/med-sized A&E consulting firm as an aviation planner. He conducted planning studies for a variety of airports throughout Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi ranging in size from general aviation to nonhub primary commercial service.
In 2007 he accepted a position with the Department of Aviation at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in the Planning Division. While at Hartsfield-Jackson he aided in the development and management of planning studies (directly related to over $2 billion in capital improvement projects) such as the consolidated rental car center, new airport feasibility study and the new international terminal.
“Relocating to Austin and taking a position with TxDOT has given me an opportunity to continue working closely with local governments while still enjoying my love of aviation,” says Felton. “I am truly excited to be a part of the great work being conducted in the Aviation Division.”
Molly Lamrouex, Environmental Specialist and Airport Planner
Originally from Ohio, Molly spent most of her childhood in Michigan’s upper peninsula. She attended a small liberal arts college on a track/cross country scholarship and graduated with
a bachelor of science degree in biology/chemistry. After college, she spent several years working for an environmental consulting firm as a chemist/bobcat operator. She then worked for over 10
years with the state of Michigan’s environmental protection agency. Hoping to get another chance at operating a bobcat, she transferred to the State of Michigan’s Department of Transportation (MDOT) where she worked primarily on aviation projects.
“From a hangar project that might improve an airport’s revenue generation to a runway project that improves conditions for the flying public, I think general aviation is a huge asset to the communities being served,” says Lamrouex.
Sophia Gonzales, GIS Analyst
Sophia earned a bachelor of science degree in geography in 2006 and in 2009, a master of applied geography degree in geographic information science (GIS) from Texas State University-
San Marcos. Her graduate study focused on integrating GIS in water resources and land use planning.
She began her career as a geographer for the U.S. Geological Survey Texas Water Science Center in Austin. At the USGS, she worked on national water resources studies including the High Plains Groundwater Availability Study as well as local land use studies for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and numerous other data-intensive projects integrating GIS.
“I’m excited to be joining the Aviation Division team and bring in a new flavor of geo-spatial data integration,” says Gonzales.