Newsletter_Summer 2026_FINAL

Staff Spotlight

IAH Skyway Modernization continued from p 1

President’s Column

Michael O’Connor

At Lea+Elliott, our people are the foundation of every successful project. This new staff spotlight section introduces team members who are helping shape the future of our company through technical excellence, collaboration, and leadership. We are proud to highlight the individuals whose expertise and dedication continue to strengthen our work and help our Clients across the transportation industry.

In conjunction with the CBTC upgrade, a new communications system, including a fiber-optic backbone network, will be installed. The existing Central Control Facility (CCF), currently located in Terminal B, will be decommissioned and replaced with a new CCF within the Maintenance & Storage Facility. Within the passenger stations, the platform screen door system will be replaced, incorporating passenger counting capabilities. Existing passenger information displays will also be upgraded to larger LED screens. Lea+Elliott has supported HAS and the IAH Skyway since the system’s original design and construction. For this modernization, Lea+Elliott was engaged to develop an implementation plan that maintains daily operations while enabling installation, testing, and commissioning of new systems during overnight maintenance periods. The project is scheduled for completion over a 57-month period.

Every hour and every day our work allows tens of thousands of people reach their destinations, all around the world. Just imagine it. Lea+Elliott has been in the business of supporting our Clients’ in moving people for over 50 years and we are extremely proud of our combined accomplishments.

Michael O’Connor joined Lea+Elliott in 2014 and brings more than 35 years of experience working on rail system projects around the world. Specializing in traction power systems for metro rail, commuter rail, and high-speed rail networks, Michael has contributed to transportation programs across the United States, the United Kingdom, and

The expertise of our people has influenced many great improvements to the technologies that make it all happen. I know that, without the expertise and commitment of people like ours, automated people mover (APM) systems would not have made such an important impact on airports, cities and campuses—and on the people who count on the mobility access that these systems provide to get them to their destination. I mention these things to let you know my feelings about the people—and the company—I’ve now been asked to lead. My knowledge is based on experience--35 years of it. I’ve managed many mobility planning projects, including some of our company’s largest planning projects including ACRP Report 37 on Airport APMs, the City of Honolulu rail system, and airport APMs at Newark and Singapore international airports. I also have a unique vantage point that has shaped my appreciation for this firm and its staff. I served initially as a Project Planner and later as a Project Manager, a company Principal, a Regional Director, and company Treasurer. I also managed the activities of both the Accounting and IT departments. I’ve seen people in all facets of this company perform above and beyond; bringing innovations to projects that have made Lea+Elliott the premier APM consultant to support project Owners through planning, design, construction and operation of automated mobility systems around the world. I am thankful for our team of industry-leading professionals and I’m equally grateful for the project Owners who entrust us with their ever larger and more complex mobility requirements. I welcome your input and support as we move into this era with its unique opportunities and challenges in getting our Client’s passengers to their destinations.

Aaron Hester, P.E.

Aaron Hester, P.E. is an electrical engineer based in Lea+Elliott’s Dallas office and has been with the firm for more than 28 years. He leads the firm’s modeling group, oversees the TPSim, Network, and Load Flow models that support Lea+Elliott’s LEGENDS © Simulation Models, and

beyond. His decades of experience have given him a practical, hands-on understanding of rail infrastructure and the many challenges involved in bringing complex systems into operation. Michael’s passion for railways began early in life when he dreamed of becoming a train engineer, and that enthusiasm continues to shape his work today. Team members appreciate his depth of knowledge, steady perspective, and genuine passion for the industry. When he is not working on transit projects, Michael enjoys spending quiet Sunday mornings gardening or playing golf and values any opportunity to return home to Scotland to spend time with family.

helps clients evaluate system performance, operational behavior, and power requirements. Aaron is known for turning complex engineering data into clear, insightful visualizations that support planning, design, and decision-making. Aaron also serves as Project Manager for the IAH Skyway Service Life Renewal and DFW Terminal F Station Activation projects. Outside of work, he enjoys relaxing at the pool with good music and credits his early fascination with bridge design for inspiring his career in engineering and modeling.

Stephen Li, M. Eng., C. Eng.

Detroit to host 20th International Conference on Automated People Movers and Automated Transit Systems Detroit will be the host city for the 20th International Conference on Automated People Movers and Automated Transit Systems (APM-ATS 2026). The conference,

Stephen Li joined Lea+Elliott in 2017 and currently supports the Honolulu Rail Transit Project as the Core Systems Oversight Consultant Project Interface Manager. His role involves bringing together project teams, contractors, and stakeholders to help keep complex transit system interfaces coordinated

and moving forward efficiently. With more than 20 years of international rail experience, Stephen has developed a strong reputation for his calm, thoughtful approach and ability to navigate technically challenging projects with attention to both detail and collaboration. His background spans all phases of transit delivery, giving him a well-rounded perspective that benefits both clients and project teams alike. Stephen is also a longtime member of the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET), reflecting his commitment to continued professional growth. Beyond his work in the transit industry, he enjoys playing pickleball with his fellow Lea+Elliott colleagues. He also enjoys cycling to work and starting each morning with a good cup of coffee.

hosted by the ASCE Transportation & Development Institute, will be co located with the ASCE T&DI International Conference on Transportation and Development (ICTD 2026) and International Airfield and Highway Pavements (Pavements 2026). Collectively, the ASCE Transportation Conferences will be held in partnership with the Michigan Department of Transportation from June 28 – July 1, 2026. In addition to 14 technical sessions with over 40 presentations, the APM-ATS conference will feature an APM O&M Managers Workshop, as well as a tour of the ExpressTram APM and McNamara Terminal at Detroit Metro Airport. Additional information about the conference can be found at www.apmconference.org

David D. Little, M.Eng President/CEO

Lea+Elliott President/CEO David D. Little visiting Lea+Elliott Honolulu staff Image credit: Lea+Elliott

In Motion

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Vol. 33 No 1