U of A Partners With Garver to Improve Airport Security

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The University of Arkansas will participate with Garver to build a compendium of practices and strategies to improve airport security during construction projects. The award from the National Safe Skies Alliance's Program for Applied Research in Airport Security focuses on methods to manage security risk during airport construction through the use of people, processes and technology.  

Nathan Polsgrove, Garver's project manager, is an experienced applied research and airport professional.  Polsgrove has served in multiple leadership positions on staff at airports and currently serves as an aviation planning leader for Garver. 

"Garver is headquartered in Arkansas and many of our staff are University of Arkansas alumni," Polsgrove said. "We are excited to partner with the University of Arkansas on this project to identify ways to improve construction security at airports nationwide."

The final product will include a review of current compliance requirements, focus group ideas, case studies and risk management techniques to help airports improve construction security.  

Richard Ham is associate director of the Master of Science in Operations Management and Master of Science in Engineering Management programs and the primary faculty member in the program's graduate certificate in Homeland Security. He served as an executive in the Department of Homeland Security and was responsible for the nationwide inspection and enforcement of security requirements established after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

"As a previous government executive focused on managing risk in this area and an airport operations manager, I am excited Garver offered the University the opportunity to participate in this endeavor," Ham said. "More knowledge is a powerful tool for airport operations and may provide new techniques that could prevent future terrorist attacks."

The 12-month project includes tasks to review and critique complex literature, case studies, focus group inputs, and compliance requirements. A graduate student will participate with Ham, gaining research experience in Homeland Security topics and broad experience compiling and synthesizing complex literature.