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.
Jacob Sotsky
Vice President
Planning
Jacob has over fifteen years’ experience in the aviation industry and attributes much of his success to his love of developing relationships with clients and listening “our clients know a lot too, having the ability to listen to our clients and giving them something that is tailored made for them is exciting I love doing that.” His experience in both airport facility planning and implementation of capital projects, combined with his design-oriented background, and holistic understanding of how projects function both as a plan and operation results in the development of high-quality program delivery.
Since 2015, he has been providing program management services to Los Angeles World Airports in support of the Landside Access Modernization Program (LAMP) at Los Angeles International Airport. Previously he served as deputy project manager for the Memphis International Airport Master Plan update and the master plan updates of both General Aviation Airports within the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority. Other planning efforts completed during his tenure at J|D include the Airport Development Plan at San Diego International Airport, the Airport Development Program for the New Guayaquil International Airport (Ecuador); aircraft plan for the new north terminal at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport; and completion of the system-wide capacity analysis for the Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) Airport and Heliport System.
Outside of work he keeps busy travelling, hiking, exploring nature and attending live music events. A big fan of music he is a regular attendee at the Hollywood Bowl, L.A. Symphony, and the Los Angeles Broadway series. In addition, he volunteers in his community and served as the Historic Preservations Commissioner Chair for the City of West Hollywood.
Q & A with Jacob
What’s the weirdest job you’ve ever had?
I sold Christmas trees every winter of my life from 12 to 19. I loved it. If you sell people a Christmas tree you can sell them anything.
Why did you join J|D?
Because of Darryl Daniels. He recruited me. I wanted a smaller organization that had a family aspect to it, he sold me something I could believe in, even when we were a small firm, you could feel a bigger plan, you could tell it was going to be something bigger. I always felt he followed through. Darryl sets the tone the owners did go out and hire younger versions of themselves to perpetuate the culture they were trying to build.
What advice would you give someone starting out in this industry?
Be patient. Take your time. Now days we are always in a hurry and try to rush through everything when you rush you don’t learn, and you make mistakes. Take the time to learn and become better. LISTEN. Listen to your clients and what they are saying they are telling you what they want if you listen.
What’s your favorite memory from working at the company?
Winning the New Orleans Master plan, it was the first airport I ever worked at in college, to win the Master Plan with Darryls’ leadership was really special it was a full circle moment.
What or who has been your biggest influence?
My mom and grandfather personally, and professionally Darryl is the biggest influence of my life.
