News

Every June, Pride Month celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community and commemorates the Stonewall Riots of 1969, a pivotal moment in the fight for equality. It’s a time to recognize both the progress made and the challenges that remain.

This year’s theme, “Activism and Social Change,” highlights the powerful role LGBTQIA+ individuals have played in advancing justice and equality through diverse forms of advocacy and leadership.

At IEI, we honor the contributions of the LGBTQIA+ community and reaffirm our belief that inclusive, impactful solutions come from embracing diverse voices and experiences.

Join us this month as we celebrate Pride—by standing in solidarity, promoting equity, and championing authenticity for all.

Please visit LGBT+ History Month 2025 for more information.

Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, observed each May, honors the history, culture, and contributions of individuals from East, Southeast, and South Asia, as well as the Pacific Islands.

The 2025 theme, “A Legacy of Leadership and Resilience,” celebrates those who have led with purpose, overcome adversity, and empowered their communities. AAPI individuals have long transformed challenges into opportunities, driving innovation and lasting change.

At IEI, we celebrate cultural heritage months as part of our commitment to diversity, recognizing that inclusive perspectives strengthen our work and enrich our firm.

For more information about Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, please visit: FAPAC – 2025 AANHPI Heritage Month Theme: A Legacy of Leadership and Resilience

This April, we recognize National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM) and honor the history, contributions, and cultures of Arab Americans to our past and present.

The theme for NAAHM 2025, “Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future,” aligns with IEI’s values of integrity, excellence, and ingenuity. This month, we reflect on the contributions and achievements of Arab Americans in our industry and look toward a future in engineering where diversity and inclusion continue to drive creativity and progress.

At IEI, we value the varied perspectives that make us stronger as a team.  We remain committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity drives the solutions that help us better serve our clients and the communities where we live, work, and play.

For more information about Arab American Heritage Month, visit these websites.

Arab America

National Arab American Heritage Month – Arab America Foundation %

Celebrating Women’s History Month: Empowering Current and Future Generations in Engineering

In recognition of Women’s History Month, we acknowledge the significant contributions of women across all industries, particularly in the field of engineering. Women continue to break barriers, lead innovative projects, and inspire the next generation of engineers and innovators. The 2025 theme, “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations,” highlights the strength, dedication, and leadership that women bring to their careers, their communities, and the world.

Women have played a key role in developing engineering solutions that address the world’s most complex challenges. The 2025 theme recognizes these contributions and the lasting influence women continue to have on current and future generations of engineers and innovators.

At IEI, we are committed to fostering diversity and inclusion, guided by our core values of integrity, excellence, and ingenuity. As one of the largest minority-owned civil engineering firms in the country, we understand the importance of diverse perspectives. Women in our firm have been essential to the success of our projects and to building sustainable, resilient communities. Their experience and leadership advance our mission of “Connecting communities” and our vision of “Engineering Excellence.”

Read more here. LINK TO https://www.womenshistory.org/womens-history/womens-history-month

Since 1976, February has been set aside to recognize the significant contributions of Black people to the history of the United States. It’s an opportunity for all Americans to learn about the African American leaders whose work and lives impacted our culture in a myriad of ways across all sectors of society. Black History Month gives us an opportunity to celebrate and reflect on our collective past and inspires us to create possibilities for a brighter future.

This year’s theme, African Americans and Labor, focuses on the important ways that work – whether in skilled or labor-intensive roles, voluntary or otherwise – has been a central part of the Black experience. From the agricultural labor of enslaved Africans to the assembly lines of American manufacturing to the African Americans who are titans of their industries in 2025, Black labor has been foundational to the forming of a global economy and continues to be an integral part of economic growth, both in the U.S. and the world. This year’s theme celebrates Black work, in all its forms, for how it has and continues to shape history and influence culture.

At IEI, this theme resonates with us, as an African American majority-owned firm, we know that our success is part of the long legacy of Black labor. We honor that history with our commitment to diversity on our board, Strategic Leadership Team, and in our overall workforce, as well as our focus on delivering projects that transform and connect the communities we cherish. From the foundational work of enslaved Africans who helped build America’s infrastructure to Black professionals advocating for better opportunities and equality, our firm stands on the shoulders of those who fought and continue to fight for equality in all industries.

As an engineering firm, we’re especially focused on honoring the contributions of African American engineers and inventors, from pioneers and trailblazers, like George Washington Carver, whose agricultural innovations transformed farming, to Garrett Morgan, whose inventions, including the traffic signal, shaped modern safety practices to the talented engineers on IEI’s team who continue the legacy of Black innovation and impact the cities where we work. They continue to push boundaries and make lasting impacts on our communities.

Join us in reflecting on the achievements of Black labor and in working alongside us to continue advancing progress for the next generation.

For more information about Black History Month, visit www.blackhistorymonth.gov.

Infrastructure Engineering Inc. is excited to announce the appointment of Mr. David Robbins, M.S., as Vice President, Aviation Business Practice Lead. Based in IEI’s Houston office, Robbins will lead the firm’s growth in the aviation sector, building on IEI’s legacy of innovation and excellence in landside and airside infrastructure.  

Michael Sutton, PE, Founder and CEO of IEI, offered, “David is an outstanding addition to our team. His years of experience with developing and managing infrastructure projects related to runways, terminals and resiliency align perfectly with our vision for growth. His leadership will be pivotal in transforming the aviation landscape and driving continued innovation at IEI.” 

Robbins joins IEI with an extensive portfolio of work in aviation infrastructure, resiliency, sustainability, and energy management, contributing to major landside and airside projects across Texas, Illinois, and Michigan. Robbins holds a Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Technology with dual concentrations in Aviation Management and Emergency Management from Eastern Michigan University. 

Most recently, Robbins served as the Director of Infrastructure/Resiliency for the Houston Airport System (HAS), where he led the First Airport Resilience Master Plan in the National Airspace System (NAS), addressing the alignment of Bush Intercontinental and Hobby International Airports and Ellington Spaceport with 100 Resilient Cities and C40 Protocol. While at HAS, Robbins secured the first and only FAA grant for a master plan effort of this nature. 

Over his 16-year tenure with the Chicago Department of Aviation, Robbins ascended to the role of Assistant Commissioner, where he led several key initiatives of the O’Hare (ORD) Modernization Program to enhance the critical infrastructure at ORD. Notably, he served as Senior Project Manager for the $1.3B North Airfield Project, which involved the design and construction of Runway 9L/27R and Runway 9C/27C East and the North Airfield Bridge Program. Robbins also played key roles in successfully delivering the design of the Runway 9R extension, the FBO Relocation, the 144” System E Storm Sewer design/construction, the Willow Higgins Creek Relocation, and the North Basin Reservoir expansion. 

In his new role, Robbins will focus on expanding IEI’s involvement in aviation infrastructure, strengthening partnerships with existing clients and pursuing new opportunities in the sector. His goal is to position IEI as a trusted partner for solving the most critical engineering challenges in aviation, while growing the division’s capabilities and team. 

“I was drawn to IEI’s strategic leadership and strong growth track record,” Robbins said. “I’m excited to help lead the expansion of IEI’s aviation division, providing exceptional service to existing and new clients and growing the team into an industry leader.” 

The third Monday of January is dedicated to recognizing Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s monumental leadership in the nonviolent movement for civil rights and legal equality for African Americans during the 1960’s.

The 2025 theme of MLK Day, “Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice, and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence 365,” is meant to remind us that the principles of freedom, justice, and democracy need to be continuously protected, and they are best nurtured when we come together in unity, guided by love and nonviolence.

Dr. King dedicated his life to speaking out against injustice, inequality, poverty, and war. His work inspires us all to continue striving for a more just world. As a majority African American-owned firm, IEI is deeply committed to honoring Dr. King’s legacy. We do this through the development of essential infrastructure that improves equitable access to opportunity – economic and otherwise and the intentional creation of a business culture that values and celebrates diversity.

As we honor Dr. King’s enduring legacy, let us commit to being active participants in advancing his vision of a just and peaceful world, not just in 2025, but always.

To learn more please visit: thekingcenter.org

IEI Senior Vice President, Paul Ajegba, PE, was a keynote speaker at the 2024 National Center for Infrastructure Transformation (NCIT) Virtual Colloquium.

In Paul’s session titled “A Vision Towards Zero Deaths on Our Freeways,” he shared valuable insights developed over his decades-long commitment to improving safety and advancing transportation infrastructure.

The conference brought together industry leaders, researchers, stakeholders, and representatives from the U.S. Department of Transportation and state DOTs to discuss infrastructure innovation and transformative projects.

Learn more and watch Paul’s virtual session here

December 7, 2024, is the 80th anniversary of the signing of the Convention on International Civil Aviation, also known as the Chicago Convention by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

In 1996, the United Nations General Assembly established International Civil Aviation Day to celebrate the achievements and contributions of civil aviation to international development, and since then, it has been recognized annually on this date. The purpose of this international recognition is to highlight the importance of aviation in fostering social and economic development across the world.

IEI shares ICAO’s vision for the safe, secure and sustainable future of civil aviation. IEI’s team is privileged to contribute to landside and airside projects at IAA, ORD, MDW, LGA, EWR, and ATL.

We’re CONNECTING COMMUNITIES near and far with sustainable solutions to engineering challenges in and around airports.

Learn more about International Civil Aviation Day and ICAO here.