Proprietary Executive Program Management® Model Helped Deliver Right-Sized, Efficient Facility
PITTSBURGH, Nov. 19, 2025 – Paslay Group celebrates the Allegheny County Airport Authority and its $1.7 billion terminal complex as the stunning, new facility opens to the public this week, seven years after the Texas-based consulting firm brought its Executive Program Management model to Pittsburgh to help deliver the capital program.
PIT Transformed was designed to create a more efficient, high-level experience for passengers anchored by a beautiful and efficient new terminal with technology that reduces travel and wait times, adds plentiful, close and covered parking, and includes innovative technologies for security checkpoint screenings and baggage check-in and claim facilities.
An $242 million Airside Renovation Program (ARP) was added in collaboration with the airlines. The ARP focuses on renovating all existing airside concourse areas, upgrading all passenger-serving elements, and investing in base building infrastructure that supports the redeveloped public areas, such as hold rooms, restrooms, and concessions. The program is scheduled for completion in mid-December.
“The PIT program presented unique challenges. The airport that had transitioned from an airline hub to primarily serving origin-and-destination passengers, to state law requiring a multiple-prime delivery system,” said R. Clay Paslay, Paslay Group president and CEO.
“Through sheer determination and extraordinary leadership, Pittsburgh now has one of the nation’s most striking and technologically advanced airports. Our firm is honored to have supported ACAA with our distinctive Executive Program Management services to deliver this exceptional program successfully.”
Paslay Group’s engagement at PIT began in 2018 with a single full-time team member. It expanded at the request of ACAA to a six-person team, increasing the airport executives’ capacity to plan, implement, and execute the program. Perfecto Solis, P.E., served as the overall Executive Program Manager. The team included:
- Rick Lee, AIA, as the TMP Implementation Manager.
- Maria Mendoza, AIA, and Paul Ferguson, AIA, as Design Managers.
- Gary Wilcox, Project Controls Analyst
- Josh Zelechoski, Contracts Manager for the 90 prime and trades contracts the Design-Bid-Build program required under Pennsylvania’s Separations Act that governs public construction programs.
- Brad Homan, P.E., Implementation Manager for the Airside Development Program.
Solis said the Paslay Group team helped ACAA build a culture of collaboration that was crucial to coordinating among ACAA leaders, airlines, and other stakeholders, and the numerous contractors. That collaboration was achieved through strong implementation planning, clear governance for decision-making, effective project controls, and a regular cadence of “tiger team” meetings for individual projects.
“Each week, we had a standing meeting with all representatives for the major project elements and included the superintendent and senior program leadership. Our theme was always, “What do you need? What’s preventing your success? What’s in your way?” Solis said. “That allowed us to remove impending obstacles and minimize delays.”
Even with the COVID-19 pandemic, the program progressed on schedule and within the initial and revised budgets established by ACAA. The program met its 14% M/DBE goals. The projects included:
- An 811,000-square-foot, three-level landside terminal facility includes a ticketing hall, baggage handling system with eight claims carousels, a 12-lane security screening checkpoint, and new concessions.
- A five-level, 1.14 million-square-foot Multi-Modal Complex with a 3,300-space parking garage, 2,700 surface-lot spaces (in addition to existing spaces), and a car rental center.
- Four miles of new landside access roads and bridges, advanced technologies, and automated systems.
- New concessions, artwork, and amenities. Outdoor landscape terraces that provide passengers with an opportunity for fresh air. Restrooms with ample space, adult changing tables, and mother nursing rooms.
Given the Pittsburgh region’s reputation as a hub for robotics, artificial intelligence, and innovation, ACAA incorporated technology throughout the program. Examples include:
- More than 4,000 fiber-optic ceiling lights simulating a night-sky constellation visible throughout the terminal.
- Sensors that process video feeds to deliver real-time wait estimates for the security checkpoint lines using predictive analytics that can forecast peak times and allow for optimal staffing.
- Autonomous floor scrubbers developed by Carnegie Robotics and equipped with ultraviolet light to disinfect high-traffic areas.
- Baggage handling system powered by magnetic motors. Robotic “arms” developed by start-up Journey Robotics of Pittsburgh that can handle five to six bags per minute, each up to 74 pounds, to ease strain on human handlers.
- A Checked Baggage Inspection System (CBIS) area aided by Mobile Inspection Tables to transport, automatically scan and sort suspicious items, sending them to a separate Checked Baggage Resolution Area (CBRA) for further inspection.
Major PIT Transformed program partners:
- Paslay Group, Executive Program Manager.
- PJ Dick-AECOM Hunt-Turner Aviation JV, construction managers.
- Jacob Solutions, Project Managers.
- Gensler, HDR, and luis vidal + architects, Design Leads.
- MBI International, Multi-Modal Complex Designer.
- Contractor Fay, a subsidiary of S&B USA Construction, Road and Bridge Contractor.
- RYCON Construction, contractor for the MMC and terminal interiors.
- Mascaro Construction, contractor for the terminal foundation and portions of the parking garage and terminal’s architectural enclosure.
- Diafuku, responsible for the $107 million baggage handling system.
- Ricondo, Navarro & Wright, Connico, and Buro Happold.
About Paslay Group
Paslay Group is the premier consulting firm providing Executive Program Management® for complex capital development programs and enterprise-level business advisory strategies. Founded in 2006, Paslay Group has delivered EPM and business advisory services for airport projects valued at $24.1 billion, with an additional $16.2 billion in projects currently under development. Visit paslay.com to learn more.
