Huntley Lawrence ’85, Flying High
Huntley A. Lawrence’s love for flying began when he was just a child. After moving from London to Queens, New York, with his family, he attended the aviation program offered at his school and learned firsthand about flight.
Lawrence earned his pilot’s license shortly after graduating high school and chose Florida Tech for its aviation program. He received his bachelor of science degree from Florida Tech and went on to earn his MBA from Dowling College. Lawrence is an accredited member of the American Association of Airport Executives.
By 2017, having earned his reputation as a top leader in the aviation field, Mr. Lawrence was named director of aviation for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. His thirty-three-year career has given him the opportunity to manage key operational initiatives, as well as safety, security, and compliance enhancements.
“Careers in airport management were just emerging when I attended Florida Tech. I was intrigued with the broad range of issues—legal, commercial, and financial—these roles exposed you to. In effect, you’re running an important business enterprise for the benefit of the public,” he said.
Mr. Lawrence oversees one of the world’s largest airport systems, with revenues of $2.6 billion and a staff of more than 1,600 aviation professionals. The Port Authority oversees operations at John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International, LaGuardia, Teterboro, and New York Stewart International airports.
Combined, these facilities handled a record 132.6 million passengers in 2017 and stimulated regional economic growth that supports 630,000 jobs resulting in nearly $34 billion in wages while generating more than $93 billion in sales annually.
Huntley’s passion for flight has not diminished, if you look up from time to time, you may see him in the Port Authority region skies . . . flying high!
Lawrence was featured in Florida Tech’s 60th Anniversary special edition book, “60 for 60: Celebrating Sixty Years of Alumni at Florida Institute of Technology.” Copies are available for purchase here.
