GAI’s Daniel Nickols Jr., PE, Assistant Engineering Manager out of the firm’s Orlando office, has been recognized by AEC-industry journal ENR Southeast as one of the publication’s 2022 Top Young Professionals. Nickols is the leader of GAI’s Florida Aviation infrastructure team.
As described by ENR, the annual competition recognizes up-and-coming construction industry professionals who exhibit notable achievements in terms of career and industry leadership, community service, and creating landmark projects for the region.
“I am truly humbled to receive this honor,” said Nickols. “While I didn’t expect to be nominated and recognized, GAI has given me the opportunity to build a reputation by working on diverse initiatives for a range of clients, and I’m happy to be acknowledged for the work we’ve done and the contributions I’ve made toward project success.”
“GAI has given me the opportunity to build a reputation by working on diverse initiatives for a range of clients.”
Nickols was a key contributor to the design and management of a runway relocation and extension project at Florida’s Flagler Executive Airport. As detailed in Airport Improvement magazine, the client credits Nickols’ project management with helping bring this major aviation infrastructure initiative to completion under budget and ahead of schedule.
As noted in Nickols’ ENR Top Young Professionals citation:
With GAI since 2016, Nickols now leads the firm’s Florida aviation team, managing engineers responsible for projects totaling over $2 million in design and construction management fees annually. Nickols works with the team to develop and implement practical design solutions for GAI’s clients.
Additionally, Nickols was recently tasked with creating and standardizing engineering workflows, processes, and templates for GAI’s aviation design. Pulling from experience, he was able to simplify and standardize GAI’s project delivery process for its aviation projects, allowing for smoother on-boarding and training of the firm’s staff of aviation professionals.
Source: enr.com
“I’ve known Dan since he was a young Engineering Intern, and I’ll always remember him asking, ‘What do you want me to do next?’,” said GAI Director of Aviation Jack Thompson, CM, LEED® AP. “In addition to growing into a highly skilled engineer and project manager, the thing that Dan now brings to the firm, and to our aviation infrastructure practice in particular, is an instinctual ability to mentor and a willingness to devote time toward training up-and-coming engineers to envision the totality of a project. Dan is a leader and a teacher of GAI’s young staff, and that is really paying dividends both for the company and the results we are able to deliver to our clients.”
Read more about GAI’s Aviation infrastructure work from Daniel Nickols, Jr., PE:
- Flagler Airport Infrastructure Project Seeds Sustainability
- Flagler Executive Airport Breaks New Ground in Florida Aviation
Read more about GAI’s Aviation infrastructure work from Jack Thompson, CM, LEED® AP:
Contact Daniel Nickols, Jr. PE, 321.319.3055, or Jack Thompson, CM, LEED® AP, 321.319.3171, to find out more about GAI’s Aviation infrastructure services—message GAI online and start the conversation about how our multidisciplinary professionals can meet your unique project needs.
