Our Team
We love our people! J|D gathers elite professionals from varied disciplines and cultures to enrich our insights in the global aviation industry. Experience the wealth of knowledge and innovation that only diverse perspectives can offer.
Matt Johnson
Sr. Vice President
Executive Leadership
With 20-years under his belt at J|D, Matt has been blessed with contributing to and witnessing first-hand the transformation from small startup aviation planning firm to a nationally recognized company offering planning, implementation, and operations management at North America’s largest airports. Through his extensive years of domestic and international aviation planning experience, Matt has worked on a wide range of facilities, environmental, terminal, financial, and operations planning assignments. Matt offers clients comprehensive working knowledge of all aspects of the airport environment.
Matt directs J|D’s Planning & Programming Division, which includes the Planning Practice and Capital Programs & Infrastructure Practice. He excels in managing complex technical and strategic initiatives, serving as the day-to-day lead for on-call assignments for Los Angeles International, Atlanta Hartsfield International, Richmond International, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County, Lambert-St. Louis International, and the Houston Airport System. His master planning experience includes leading major efforts in support of master plans for Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County, Memphis/Shelby County International, Atlanta Hartsfield International, Omaha Eppley Airfield, Los Angeles International, San Diego International, and Richmond International Airports.
Q & A with Matt
What changes or trends do you think will have the biggest impact on the aviation industry?
Amongst the most impactful changes are those related to improving efficiency of the passenger bag check-in process. As biometric technologies continue to be integrated into passenger processing, the ability to safely and securely allow passengers to complete the check-in process – with no interaction with ticketing agents – and place their checked baggage on a drop belt will revolutionize our approach to terminal planning/design.
At a minimum, the spatial needs related to terminal ticketing facilities are likely to be reduced. More importantly those functions could much more easily be distributed to various locations – to the benefit of both the traveler and the airport/airlines. Remote check-in facilities at ConRACs, parking garages, and other convenient locations would benefit the airlines and provide travelers with opportunities to divest themselves of bags sooner.
Self-check in is an integral part of aviation’s continued evolution to a seamless travel experience. Combined with a multitude of other innovations, including self-service security screening, parking reservations, and pre purchased meals, one can easily imagine a future travel experience that is unlike today’s.
What’s your favorite memory from working at the company?
In our early years, J|D occupied an office at DTW, in the old traffic control tower in the Smith Terminal. Some of my fond memories are working late and seeing the sun go down and the airfield lights come on. That and watching planes land and take off all day long made for a great workplace. On a few occasions, after a long night, we were blessed with seeing a great sunrise too!
What professional project are you most proud of?
J|D’s and my involvement in the Memphis International Airport Master Plan Update and resulting Terminal Modernization & Seismic Program (TMSP). These projects have been carrier defining for me. They represent the perfect blend of working with a client you truly enjoy who makes you feel part of their team.We have earned their trust and are rewarded with continual assignments on projects that will have a profound impact on the community they serve.
