Randall H. Walker; Director of Aviation | Samuel G. Ingalls; Information Systems Manager | Gerard Hughes; Senior Network Analyst | David Bourgon; Airline Systems Manager | David Webb; Senior Business Systems Analyst
Randall H. Walker; Director of Aviation
At Work: Runs McCarran International Airport for Clark County, Nev.
At Home: 49 years old. Married, six children. Hobbies include spending time with grandchildren and visiting mountain cabin
Alma Mater: Brigham Young University, B.S. in accounting
How He Got Here:
1996 to 1997: Finance director and assistant county manager, McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas
1990 to 1995: Deputy director of aviation, McCarran International Airport
1984 to 1990: Deputy city manager, Las Vegas
Mouthing Off:
Most misunderstood aspect of my job: "What does an airport director do? Most people do not understand how an airport functions, and they get our roles confused with the airlines' and federal government's."
Greatest business challenge for McCarran: "Before 9/11, it was keeping up with the growth (6.5 percent annual growth in the 1990s). Since 9/11, it is dealing with the new and ever-changing security rules."
Chief difference between McCarran and other airports: "We're the second-largest origin-and-destination [nonhub] airport in the world, behind LAX [Los Angeles International]; 92 percent of our passengers come through the front door."
Biggest impact of 9/11 on McCarran's IT organization: "Trying to develop uses for our existing IT infrastructure in the security procedures to minimize the impact to our customers."
Gambling philosophy: "I live in Las Vegas, I don't like to gamble."
Biggest bet ever made: "25 cents."
Samuel G. Ingalls; Information Systems Manager
At Work: Visioning and managing IT and telecommunications services at one of the busiest airports in the world
At Home: 41 years old. Married, three children. Hobbies include piloting and boating
Alma Mater: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, B.S. in aviation business administration; American Association of Airport Executives, professional certification as an accredited airport executive (AAE)
How He Got Here:
1995 to 2001: Airport business administrator, McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas
1990 to 1995: Strategic affairs coordinator, McCarran International Airport
Mouthing Off:
The most misunderstood aspect of my job: "The need to balance my focus between providing a first-class customer-service product, internally and externally, while working on significant, industry-leading projects."
Biggest impact of 9/11 on McCarran's IT organization: "Enhancing passenger-processing efficiency has been a challenge that we've historically engaged in head-on. 9/11 only served to narrow our focus on that element."
If I could do anything over in our IT organization: "I would have started with a larger main computer room. There is no such thing as too much space."
Gerard Hughes; Senior Network Analyst
At Work: Responsible for McCarran's operational and administrative data networks; airport telecommunications networks; and operational pagers, cell phones and trunked radios
At Home: 43 years old. Married, four children. Hobbies include outdoor activities, traveling and building an extensive jazz library
Alma Mater: Community College of the Air Force, A.A.S in management information systems; Community College of Southern Nevada, A.S. in computing and information technology; coursework in MIS at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas
How He Got Here:
1995 to 1997: Departmental systems coordinator, departmental systems technician and systems technician, McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas
1978 to 1995: Network systems manager, Unix systems administrator and telecommunications systems operator, Central Processing and Communications, U.S. Air Force
Mouthing Off:
If I only had a bigger IT budget, I would: "Fatten the pipes and train more."
The most misunderstood aspect of my job: "It's a lot like electricity--as long as the lights are on, no one really cares what makes it happen. The network can be up and operational 24/7 for months, but one burp during an operationally critical moment and the importance of network infrastructure is paramount."
Biggest impact of 9/11 on McCarran's IT organization: "Increased bandwidth demands for security applications, interfacing with the Transportation Security Administration, and increased emphasis on disaster recovery as part of strategic planning."
If I could do anything over in our IT organization:
"I wouldn't change a thing. Other airports see McCarran as a global leader in airport management."
Biggest bet ever made: "$100 on Tyson vs. Holyfield in 1996."
David Bourgon; Airline Systems Manager
At Work: Oversees all IT systems used for ticketing and baggage tracking, the airlines helpdesk, and IT ordering and inventory
At Home: 36 years old. Married, two dogs. Bowls professionally. Hobbies include golf and cooking
Alma Mater: University of Nevada, Las Vegas
How He Got Here:
1990 to 1993: PC support technician, Clark County Public Works
Mouthing Off:
The most misunderstood aspect of my job: "It's probably the same for most IT professionals: Keeping systems running smoothly with little or no downtime, as well as keeping a high level of customer service, takes an incredible amount of teamwork and behind-the-scenes effort."
Chief difference between McCarran and other airports: "We are the largest common-use airport in North America and the third largest in the world. This [allows us to give] unparalleled service to our flying customers as well as my airline customers."
I love technology when: "It really helps to change a process for the better."
I hate technology when: "It is just for technology's sake. I want every vendor who comes here to blow me away with what their technology can do for me."
Biggest bet ever made: "$50 on a football game."
David Webb; Senior Business Systems Analyst
At Work: Manage servers, server operating systems, Web servers, document-management systems, storage, e-mail, user management and security, and Internet domain names
At Home: 44 years old. Divorced, two children. Hobbies include home improvement and ATV (all-terrain vehicle) riding
Alma Mater: University of Nevada, Las Vegas
How He Got Here:
1995 to 2000: Departmental systems coordinator, McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas
1989 to 1995: Programmer analyst, Clark County Sanitation District
Mouthing Off:
Greatest business challenge for McCarran: "Continue to provide superior air-travel facilities and services to support the growth of Las Vegas."
Biggest impact of 9/11 on McCarran's IT organization: "Increased emphasis on security, and the rapid implementation of applications related to security."
When I retire, I will: "I get to retire?"
Personal gambling philosophy: "I've got more important things to spend my money on."
Biggest bet ever made: "$5."
Favorite show on the strip: "Blue Man Group"
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