Client Spotlight

Client Name: City of Cleveland Department of Port Control Location: Cleveland, OH (CLE/BKL)

“Staying in your lane isn’t going to allow you to broaden your horizons, so step out of your comfort zone and set new challenges!” - Dennis Kramer

Bill Barley and Mike DeVoy recently had the pleasure of speaking with Dennis Kramer, Director, at Cleveland Hopkins International and Burke Lakefront Airport.

Q: Please tell us about yourself - personally and professionally to the degree that you are comfortable.

A: I am a Northeast Ohio native. I went to the University of Toledo – go Rockets! – for Civil Engineering, and then attended Cleveland State University for my MBA. After graduation, I worked for Kokosing Construction, then Allega Construction, doing a lot of airport construction work – RDU, MYR, CMH, etc. I saw a job opening for Chief of Planning & Engineering at CLE and decided to apply. I got the job and started with the City in February of 2020. Since that time my role has expanded and I currently oversee all elements of planning, engineering & construction, environmental, compliance & inclusion, asset management, and information technology. Also, in addition to my normal duties I have served as the Airport Interim Director since last July when our previous Director retired. I’m married with 3 kids and I serve on the Board of Education for the Avon Local School District.

Q: How does being a Professional Engineer help in your career and as an airport executive?

A: Getting my PE required the need to know a lot about a lot – kind of like working in the aviation industry. It helped me to become (and learn how to become) a well-rounded professional in whatever I was doing. I’ve spent most of my career in construction and field engineering, as opposed to doing design work. This also gave me a broad perspective of the industry. Learning how to become a well-rounded professional in any field will lead to more opportunities.

Q: You spent a part of your career working for a construction contractor. How has that experience prepared you for your current role?

A: I traveled a lot while working for Kokosing but there weren’t any opportunities to get back home to Cleveland, so I then went to work for Allega. We were one of the few firms in the country who was creating certified labs that we could take from job to job. Working for a construction contractor has helped me in my current role, especially when it comes to our upcoming airport development program while operating an airport. Developing a program for the airport affects every piece of the organization, e.g., engineering, HR, finance, concessions, etc. Knowing how the construction needs to go has helped me influence and shape how all sections of the organization need to prepare and how it will affect them. Again, going back to having a broad wellrounded knowledge – it can help in so many ways when strategizing and developing a project, plan or program.

Q: You work with multiple engineering and architectural firms that provide services to the City of Cleveland Department of Port Control. What differentiates your top performing consultants from the others?

A: Collaboration is the first word that comes to mind. Don’t tell us what to do and don’t ask us what to do. We want a consultant who is going to challenge us according to their expertise but also work with us to find the best solution for the airport. It truly is a partnership. And since most organizations can operate in silos, internal collaboration with staff is important too. Be flexible.

Q: You are formulating a significant construction program to improve the terminal and associated facilities at CLE. What are some of the biggest opportunities and challenges you see with this program?

A: The terminal program will be transformational and a re-visioning of the airport. Our biggest opportunity is economic growth for the community, which is our core purpose. Creating a welcoming “portal” for travelers is very important. Challenges include staffing, availability of consultants and contractors, and our own organizational readiness. Our first step is to bring on an executive program consultant to help us evaluate our internal organization and make sure we are structured to take on this large program.

Q: We are interviewing leaders within our client organizations to provide aviation industry insight for our staff, particularly people with under 5 years in the industry. What advice do you have for new professionals in our industry?

A: The best way to advance in your career is by gaining a broad knowledge and perspective through experiences. Staying in your lane isn’t going to allow you to broaden your horizons, so step out of your comfort zone and set new challenges! It’ll make you a well-rounded employee and individual, and open up more opportunities as you grow.

Summer Conferences

AAAE Annual (Denver, CO)

ACI-NA Jumpstart/Small Airports (Milwaukee, WI)

SAME Annual Program Review (Savannah, GA)

FL Aviation (West Palm Beach, FL)

GLC/AAAE Annual (Dubuque, IA)

NEC/AAAE Annual (Erie, PA)

June 2-5

June 12-14

June 26-28

July 22-26

July 28-30

August 13-15

Paul Puckli, Mike DeVoy, Nathan Lienhart

Paul Puckli

Candice Scale, Jeremy Martelle

Jonathan Hand, Paul Puckli

Mary Kerstein, Casey Jones

Jeremy Martelle, John DelBalso