Garver names new aviation director, creates business development role – Talk Business &

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North Little Rock-based engineering firm Garver has appointed Frank McIllwain as director of aviation and Mike Griffin as aviation development director, which is a new role, according to a Tuesday (Jan. 18) news release.

Griffin has led Garver Aviation for more than two decades and will transition into the new role, pursuing new market growth and continuing to play a role in leading the firm’s future business development.

McIllwain has worked at Garver for 23 years and has been involved in more than $500 million of airport improvement projects at over 60 airports, including Dallas Love Field, Dallas Fort Worth International, Bill and Hillary Clinton National, Tulsa International, Dallas Executive and Fort Worth Meacham International.

“For more than 60 years, our aviation team has been a cornerstone of Garver’s business,” said president and CEO Brock Hoskins. “Frank has played a significant role in laying that foundation for growth over the course of his career – and we’re excited that he’ll now have a chance to guide Garver’s trajectory going forward.”

The new $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is expected to provide more opportunities for aviation infrastructure projects as it will allot $25 billion in supplemental spending for airports, including $15 billion in formula grants, $5 billion for a new airport terminal program and $5 billion for facilities and equipment, the release shows.

“Since joining Garver as an intern, I’ve seen Garver Aviation positively take off,” McIllwain said. “Now, at a time when the opportunities for growth in this industry are unparalleled, I’m honored to lead our business line into the future – and to further solidify Garver’s status as a trusted adviser for our clients.”

McIllwain is a licensed, instrument-rated pilot and incorporates a pilot’s perspective into his projects, according to the release. McIllwain is a Russellville native and graduated from the University of Arkansas. He will oversee a team of engineers in 34 offices across 13 states and remain based from his Frisco, Texas, office.

The employee-owned engineering, planning, architectural and environmental services firm has nearly 900 employees across the United States.