Engineering the Future: Rick Baldocchi on Airports, Infrastructure & Lifelong Learning. (S3E12)

In this episode of The Crossman Conversation: CEO Edition, John Crossman sits down with Rick Baldocchi, a leader at AVCON and one of the country’s go-to experts in airport design and infrastructure. Rick shares the fascinating story of how Orlando International Airport grew from a modest regional terminal to a major international hub — and how that transformation helped shape his three-decade career as an engineer. From expanding airports across the nation to navigating complex logistics, safety protocols, and public infrastructure challenges, Rick dives deep into what it really takes to build an airport — not just runways and terminals, but collaboration with government officials, community stakeholders, and cross-functional teams. He also shares impactful advice for young professionals: be curious, ask questions, and never stop learning. Whether you're interested in engineering, leadership, or just love a good behind-the-scenes story about how your airport works, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.