Our Team

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John Sepulveda

Managing Consultant

Capital Programs & Infrastructure

John’s career in the aerospace and airport construction industries spans 31 years; starting in aerospace as a spacecraft electrical technician and is now specializing in construction management and planning of major capital improvements for airport modernization projects. As a project manager, provided oversight for airside and landside improvements projects at the Orlando International Airport (MCO) of approximately $3.1 billion. John currently is overseeing construction of the Baggage Handling System (BHS) and Security Screening Checkpoint (SSCP) at Pittsburgh International Airport’s (PIT) new terminal of approximately $110 million.

As a member of the MIA ALO team, he provides technical review on proposed Majority-In Interest (MII) airport capital projects, participates in Miami-Dade County Aviation Department monthly departmental briefs and compiles data to generate and present monthly project updates to the airlines.

Previously as an Owner Authorized Representative (OAR) at MCO, he oversaw construction for federal agency tenant areas in the 158,000 square foot Customs and Border Protection Federal Inspection Station (CBP FIS) and the Terminal C Transportation Security Administration (TSA) passenger screening checkpoint. The checkpoint utilized 2 standard screening lanes and eight Automated Screening Lanes (ASLs) and he coordinated vendor equipment installation and testing he managed installation and ISAT testing of the lanes to ensure TSA requirements in support of the airport terminal’s opening schedule. John reviewed and participated in the testing of the Vanderlande Individual Carrier System (ICS) baggage system at MCO Terminal C. Recent highlights of John’s career (2016 – 2019) was the $93.6M project called the BP-443 Airside 4 Improvements project at MCO. The project encompassed several elements at Airside 4, all of which were targeted with improving the arrival experience for international passengers processed through the Federal Inspection Station. Four gates on the airside were converted to international swing gates, with one of those gates being upgraded to a three-passenger boarding bridge configuration to accommodate an A380 type aircraft. Upgraded mechanical and electrical infrastructure work was done throughout the airside to support larger aircraft types as well as adding additional square footage to the expanded Federal Inspection Station. The expanded FIS also included a new sterile corridor, offices, and FFE for CBP personnel.

Q & A with John

What Do You Love About This Industry?

I have always been interested in aviation. Flying is an amazing capability that has been made to seem easier than it is, and I appreciate the opportunity to help airports make their passengers’ travel experiences better.

What industry changes or trends do you think will have the biggest impact?

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and the move towards electric and hydrogen aviation has the potential to make us more connected. If developed properly, it will change how we think about Regional Air Mobility (RAM)- the way we travel across and between cities.

What’s your favorite memory from working at the company?

Parties at Darryl’s house!

Why did you join J|D?

I was moving to Tennessee from Florida and J|D gave me the opportunity to work on multiple projects across the country.

How did you come to work at J|D?

A former co-worker recommended me to them when they were looking for someone to manage a baggage handling (BHS) project in Pittsburgh.

What is the best part of your job?

Being able to work on different types of projects in different roles and travel.

What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

Identifying how to manage clients, vendors, and finding consensus between them.

What advice would you give someone starting out in this industry?

Understand how the airport operates, their processes, and who to know to get the right answers when you have an issue.

What professional project are you most proud of?

An airside expansion and renovation we did at MCO. It was a great learning experience.

What is your work motto?

Everyone you interact with is both a customer and a supplier- Customer service should be your priority.

What is your personal motto?

Glance ahead to see where you need to go but focus on getting past what is right in front of you.

How did you meet your significant other?

We met while I was in college.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I am a volunteer firefighter and have Commercial/Instrument/Multi-Engine/Glider pilot ratings.

What would your perfect weekend look like?

Learning to fly a WWII warbird.

Where is your favorite place to be?

Home in Tennessee.

What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t doing this?

Working in a space program. I spent 22 years at Kennedy Space Center in Florida as a technician for a space shuttle.

What’s something that you’ve always wanted to try or learn?

Guitar