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.
Mike Hanlon
Vice President
Airline Services
Mike Hanlon leads J|D’s Airline Services Group, providing project implementation and consulting services to airlines throughout North America. He has more than 30 years of consulting experience in facility and operations planning, program definition, program management, and owners’ representation for major capital development projects and programs at large hub airports.
Currently Mike is the Airline Representative for the nearly complete O’Hare Modernization Program (OMP). In this role he serves as the Owner’s Representative for the Signatory Airlines serving Chicago O’Hare International Airport. This effort includes day-to-day interface with the Airlines, the City of Chicago Department of Aviation and OMP Program staff.
Mike has managed a wide variety of studies, including the preparation of master plans and program definition studies for both airfield and terminal improvements and the implementation of two major development programs at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. Throughout his career Mike has focused on mega projects at the largest and most complex airports in the United States. In addition, he’ s participated in the planning and implementation of projects in Canada, Europe, Asia, and South America.
Mike’s extensive and diverse experience with all aspects of airport development make him uniquely capable of coordinating all aspects of a major development program, from conceptual planning through implementation. He strives to create the best possible outcome for his clients and the project.
Q & A with Mike
What’s your favorite memory from working at the company?
In the early days when we were small, we would do these fall business planning retreats in the woods and we’d stay in a lodge and cook meals together, the entire company would be together. We’re too large of an organization to do that now but it was a unique time and lots of good memories.
How did you come to work at J|D?
I worked with both Brad and Darryl at another firm, in fact I reported to Brad when I first started out of college. Shortly after they left the firm and launched J|D there was an opportunity for a role at O’Hare to be the Airline Representative and I became employee #3 at the firm.
What is the best part of your job?
Often, I don’t know what the day is going to bring. I love being at the airport, it’s always changing, thing happen on a dynamically. I find it unique, interesting and one of my favorite things to see what it takes for one of the world’s busiest airports to keep everything, running smoothly, coordinating with multiple agencies. It is a unique environment.
What advice would you give someone starting out in this industry?
Learn all you can, understand all the aspects of aviation, don’t get too focused on any one thing, it is good to have general working knowledge of so many things. You are a better planner if you understand the engineering, finance and operations instead of focusing on one thing. A broader knowledge base in multiple areas will enhance your area of expertise.
What professional project are you most proud of?
Coordinating with the airlines for the O’Hare modernization program. That program totally reconfigured the airport. It involved relocating runways, relocating hangars, public roads, access roads, doing that over 20 years has been the highlight of my career.
How did you meet your significant other?
I met my wife while she was working for the Dept. of Aviation. She was on the city side, we had to keep it secret. No one knew until after we became engaged.
Where is the best place you’ve traveled to and why?
Top of the list right now is Barcelona.
What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t doing this?
I considered being a pilot, or doing large heavy civil construction utilizing my engineering degree.
Do you follow any sports teams?
Though I live in Chicago, and went to MSU, I’m a Michigan fan. Growing up we had season tickets to the basketball games, so my allegiance started young.
