Twenty years ago, Ben started with The Weitz Company as an intern, working while he earned his Construction Engineering degree at Iowa State University. From project engineer to his current role as General Manager of Aviation, Ben’s career is a testament to what’s possible when hard work and growth align. 

Ben joined Weitz full-time in 2006, and over the years, he’s taken on a wide range of operating roles, each time bringing fresh ideas, unwavering dedication, and a willingness to push the boundaries of what’s expected. His leadership has helped shape some of our most significant projects, including the Des Moines Downtown Hilton Hotel and the $1.5 billion Kansas City International Airport New Terminal, an incredibly successful project for our company. 

As Ben reflects on his career, he realizes his growth, both personal and professional. With every step and every project, he embraced change, tackled challenges head-on, and brought great success in many aspects to the company.  

“It’s been incredibly rewarding to grow my career at a company that’s given me so many opportunities to learn, lead, and make an impact. From starting as an intern to building our aviation team, I’ve been fortunate to be surrounded by great people and meaningful projects every step of the way. I’m proud of what we’ve built together and excited for all of the opportunities that lie ahead.”

Ben Bunge, Aviation General Manager | The Weitz Company

Today, Ben leads a dynamic and rapidly growing aviation team delivering cutting-edge solutions at airports across the country. A current project back home at the Des Moines International Airport is underway, and is already hitting major milestone for the company, and the Central Iowa community. Under his leadership, Weitz’s aviation work continues to gain momentum, driving excellence in delivery, collaboration, and innovation. 

We’re incredibly proud to recognize Ben’s 20 years with Weitz. His story is not only a reflection of his hard work and determination but also a perfect example of what it means to grow with Weitz. Congratulations, Ben! 

The post Ben Bunge: Recognizing Two Decades of Leadership  appeared first on Weitz.

A great airport ticketing system is more than just kiosks and desks, it’s a highly-engineered interface between passengers, systems, and infrastructure. Getting it right, the first time, empowers the entire airport to operate efficiently. Ticketing systems are critical to an airport’s infrastructure, making early collaboration between airlines, designers, owners, and contractors essential to ensure the space functions successfully.

Hear From Our Airport Ticketing System Expert 

Ally Schaer, Assistant Project Manager for The Weitz Company | Aviation, focused on the build outs of airport ticketing systems for both Kansas City International Airport’s New Terminal and the Des Moines International Airport Terminal project that’s currently under construction. She has experienced firsthand how vital ticketing systems are to ensure a premier passenger experience, support connected systems and avoid future retrofitting that can be disruptive and expensive for airlines and clients. 

In the video below, Ally expands on how early collaboration is vital to building a ticketing system that will support all airport functions for continual growth. 

Connection Is Key 

In addition to early collaboration, understanding how ticketing impacts other airport systems is vital to creating a thoughtful and efficient design in the preconstruction phase of a project. During this planning phase it’s important to keep these points in mind: 

• An airport ticketing system is the gateway to airport operations, shaping passenger experience, brand perception, and the efficiency of everything that follows, from bag drop to boarding. 

• Ticketing sets the flow of passengers into downstream systems like baggage handling, security, and queue management. Poor design here creates ripple effects across the entire terminal. 

• Accurate, real-time data is critical, as ticketing interfaces with TSA CBIS, Secure Flight, CBP, and airline platforms. Missteps affect both security screening and baggage tracking. 

• Ticketing is deeply integrated with airport infrastructure, including IT networks, biometrics, ADA compliance, fire/life safety, power systems, and structural design, especially in retrofit conditions. 

• Retrofitting ticketing areas is highly disruptive, requiring phased coordination with airlines, operations, and security due to their location in high-traffic, mission-critical zones. 

At the end of the day, a well-designed and built airport ticketing system makes travel feel effortless. But behind the scenes, it’s one of the most complex pieces of airport infrastructure and one our Aviation team takes great pride in building to serve travelers for generations to come.

The post Airport Ticketing System Design: Expert Insights for Efficiency and Integration  appeared first on Weitz.

Des Moines, IA (July 1, 2025) – Des Moines International Airport (DSM) is pleased to announce the official opening of the new section of its parking garage at 9 AM today, a major milestone in the LiftDSM initiative to enhance the travel experience for passengers across Iowa.

Construction on the new garage began in the summer of 2023 and was completed by The Weitz Company. The expansion adds more than 1,100 new covered parking spaces, conveniently located for access to both the current and future terminals. The garage’s total capacity increases by 63%, going from 1,800 to over 2,900 stalls.

“We’re excited to provide our travelers with more convenient, covered parking as we prepare for the future of air travel in Iowa,” said Brian Mulcahy, Chief Executive Officer at DSM. “This expansion directly supports our long-term vision through the LiftDSM program, making travel to and from the airport easier and more accessible. I also want to thank Governor Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Transportation for the Iowa Commercial Aviation Infrastructure Fund grant that supported this construction.”

New Traffic Flow and Features

The entrance to the parking garage has shifted. Drivers will now access the garage from the right side of Terminal Drive, follow the one-way loop road, and be guided by signage to either daily or hourly parking.

Among the many upgrades, the garage now features a red light/green light system above each stall to quickly identify available spaces and an upgraded real-time stall count board at the entrance showing available spots by level.

Additional enhancements coming soon include color-coded graphics on the pillars throughout the garage, making it easier for travelers to remember where they parked. Patrons can simply snap a photo of the nearest pillar to help locate their vehicle when they return. Each level will feature a unique color, and parking garage maps will be installed throughout the facility to assist with navigation.

Paving of the adjacent surface lot is scheduled to begin in July, with additional enhancements continuing throughout the year.

Customer-Friendly Improvements and EZ Pick-Up

To reduce curbside congestion, DSM has introduced a new EZ Pick-Up process. Visitors picking up arriving passengers can enter the hourly lot and wait in a designated area, where they can drop a pin to their traveler to identify their exact location. This service is free from 9 PM to midnight and helps eliminate the need to circle the terminal.

Daily and hourly parking rates remain unchanged at $20 per day and $48 per day, respectively.

Thanks to Our Partners

DSM thanks its partners and the public for their support and patience during construction and looks forward to continuing to elevate the passenger experience through LiftDSM. We’re excited to have this important project completed, delivering more convenience and capacity for our travelers.

“We’re proud to be working alongside amazing partners in the community to see this project come to fruition,” said Mike Tousley, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Weitz. “It’s a great example of forward-thinking infrastructure that serves the community’s growing needs.”

The next major milestone will be the completion of four new deicing pads, which began construction in June 2025 and are on track to be finished by October of this year. These continued improvements are all part of our commitment to building a better, more efficient airport for Iowa.

Read more about the new parking garage in this Des Moines Business Record article.

Media Contact:

Sarah Hoodjer, Communications Manager

515-256-5108 Office · 515-256-5370 Cell

shoodjer@flydsm.com

About the Des Moines Airport Authority

Des Moines International Airport (DSM) is Iowa’s busiest airport, serving over 3 million passengers annually with 34 nonstop destinations. DSM is dedicated to connecting travelers to the world with exceptional service and a focus on the future. The airport’s new terminal, set to open in 2027, will enhance the travel experience with expanded capacity and modern amenities. For more information, visit www.flydsm.com and follow @dsmairport on X and DSM International Airport on Facebook.

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The post Des Moines International Expands Parking with New Garage Opening as Part of LiftDSM Project appeared first on Weitz.

ENR’s annual rankings are based on construction revenue from the previous year and offer insight into how firms across the country are adapting to challenges in the market. This year’s list highlights the resilience of top contractors navigating rising costs and supply chain constraints. See the full list here.

Additionally, The Weitz Company was also recognized as one of the Top 50 Program Management Firms according to ENR.

Weitz’s diverse expertise spans multiple sectors, including Aviation, Mission Critical, Industrial, and Commercial, enabling the company to deliver tailored solutions across a wide range of large-scale and complex projects.

The post In The News: Weitz Named #78 on ENR’s 2025 Top 400 Contractors List appeared first on Weitz.

After the new terminal is opened, construction will continue at the airport with the parking garage expansion. These projects will be a huge success for The Weitz Company and the Central Iowa community.

Watch a video update on the project’s construction progress from KCCI here.

The post In The News: New Des Moines Airport Terminal Reaches Halfway Point appeared first on Weitz.

In this white paper, Mark Zessin, Sr. Project Manager, and Travis Moore, Project Manager II, outline how The Weitz Company partners with airport executives and collaborates with key stakeholders to deliver complex BHS projects with minimal disruption and maximum long-term value.

Learn more about Weitz’s Aviation expertise here.

The post Constructing Baggage Handling Systems In Active Environments appeared first on Weitz.

Des Moines International Airport New Terminal

Phase 1A of the Des Moines International Airport expansion encompasses a 265,000-square-foot terminal featuring five new gates, advanced security screening with eight lanes, efficient baggage handling systems, and enhanced dining and retail options. Upon completion, the terminal will offer a total of 18 gates, a 50% increase in aircraft capacity, facilitating the introduction of new routes and airlines. The design also emphasizes sustainability, incorporating green technologies and natural lighting to create a welcoming environment for travelers.

Construction commenced in 2023, with the first phase slated for completion in 2026 and subsequent phases extending through 2027. This expansion not only enhances the travel experience but also serves as a catalyst for economic growth in Central Iowa, positioning DSM as a premier gateway for both business and leisure travelers.

The post In The New: Des Moines International Airport Expansion appeared first on Weitz.

Announced during AGC’s annual convention in Columbus, Ohio, this national award is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious recognitions in the U.S. construction industry. The accolade celebrates the exceptional teamwork, innovation, and execution delivered by the Clark | Weitz | Clarkson team.

This achievement is a testament to the power of collaboration and the dedication of our teams who continue to push the boundaries of excellence in construction. We are thrilled to be recognized among industry leaders for our role in this landmark project.

Congratulations once again to all involved in this incredible success!

Read the full press release about the award from The Builders and AGC here and watch a video of the awards here.

Learn more about the Kansas City Airport New Terminal Project here.

The post Kansas City Airport New Terminal Wins Prestigious AGC Build America Award appeared first on Weitz.

(Phoenix, Arizona) – The Weitz Company is excited to announce Mina Wassef’s promotion to Business Development Director for The Weitz Company. Mina has over a decade of experience at Weitz and nearly two decades of experience in the industry. 

Throughout Wassef’s time at The Weitz Company, he has accomplished many notable milestones driving the company into new markets and leading major pursuits across the U.S. and internationally. In 2023, Mina was recognized and honored as a Top Young Professional (top 20 under 40) by ENR Southwest.  

“As our company continues to grow, so do our opportunities. Throughout my time at Weitz, I have appreciated the balance between a challenging environment that ensures employees deliver their best while also providing a safe place to learn and grow. I am excited to step into this new role and continue to lead our BD team to drive the company’s growth on a national basis and foster strong relationships with our clients. At Weitz, we truly focus on customer advocacy and making sure our clients get an unparalleled experience working with us.”

Mina Wassef, Business Development Director | The Weitz Company

Wassef started with Weitz’s parent company, Orascom Construction PLC, in 2013 as a Corporate Business Development Manager and was promoted to General Manager of Weitz’s Arizona office in 2023. In his role as General Manager, Mina helped expand and diversify Weitz projects in the Arizona market specifically in the Aviation, Mission Critical, Industrial and Commercial sectors.  Mina will bring this expertise to his new position as Business Development Director where he will help drive companywide business development efforts and continue to ensure the diversification of products and markets.  

“With Mina’s promotion from General Manager to Business Development Director, we are poised for even greater success. Mina’s ability to connect and build strong relationships with clients and industry professionals will cultivate new opportunities. His growth mentality and commitment to pursuing and winning the right projects for us will reinforce our dedication to excellence, backed by Mina’s two decades of industry expertise.”

Kevin McClain, CEO & President | The Weitz Company

Mina’s industry experience is widely diverse, including Aviation, Industrial, Mission Critical, Commercial, and Transportation. He also has experience within The Weitz Company at various levels including executive leadership, business development and corporate strategy. Mina holds a bachelor’s degree in Electronics Engineering and an MBA from Harvard Business School. His wide range of experience and expertise will continue to drive company success and cultivate landmark opportunities for a company with an already rich history.  

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About The Weitz Company 

Boasting 170 years of construction experience, The Weitz Company is a full-service construction company, general contractor, design builder, and construction manager that serves all 50 U.S. states. Established in 1855, Weitz is one of the oldest general contractors in the United States and an industry leader in Industrial construction, Senior Living, Student Housing, Mission Critical construction, Aviation construction, Commercial construction, Virtual Design and more. Headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, The Weitz Company annually ranks in the top tier of Engineering News-Record (ENR) magazine’s Top 400 Contractors and Building Design+Construction’s Giants 300 Contractors lists. You can read more about The Weitz Company at https://www.weitz.com/.   

The post Mina Wassef Promoted to The Weitz Company’s Business Development Director  appeared first on Weitz.

Building for an Operational Airport 

During his remarks, John emphasized the unique challenges of working in an active airport environment, where construction teams must balance infrastructure improvements with maintaining smooth operations for travelers. He outlined the following items as keys to success when operating in active spaces: 

• Understanding Airport Values – Sky Harbor International Airport prioritizes passenger experience, and construction teams must align with those values to minimize disruptions and enhance traveler satisfaction. 

• Maintaining the Traveler’s Experience – From clear wayfinding to noise reduction strategies, every decision made on-site contributes to the overall airport experience. 

• Aligning with Airport Goals – Working hand-in-hand with Sky Harbor to identify key objectives—whether sustainability, efficiency, or brand representation—ensures that projects contribute to the airport’s long-term success. 

• Executing Multiple Plans – Airports are dynamic environments where flexibility is essential. By planning ahead and preparing for processes such as timing and costs associated with badging, insurance requirements, site logistics and how to communicate clearly and often, teams can seamlessly carry out the project needs 

• Supporting the Sky Harbor Brand – Beyond delivering quality projects, John highlighted the importance of representing Sky Harbor’s brand values throughout the construction process. “Our team, stakeholders, and trade partners all represent the airport and its values each day when we are on-site. We are ambassadors for the airport,” he shared. 

Aviation Phenomenal Champion of the Year- The Weitz Company 

In addition to the panel, the 2025 Aviation Business Summit also held a brief awards ceremony during the lunch program. During the program, The Weitz Company received the 2025 Aviation Phenomenal Champion of the Year award.

“They’ve been a stellar business partner through this entire process [PSHIA Terminal 4 baggage handling systems upgrades project], standing ready to provide aviation solutions for the project that meets not only our needs, but the improvements that will actually support the needs of our very important customers, our airlines.” 

Chad Makovsky, City of Phoenix Director of Aviation Services

This recognition underscores Weitz’s commitment to delivering aviation solutions that align with Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport’s vision for operational excellence and enhanced passenger experiences. 

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