Byron Thurber
About Byron Thurber
Byron Thurber is an Associate Principal and Aviation Leader at Arup's San Francisco and Oakland offices, with extensive experience in airport planning and architecture.
Title and Current Position at Arup
Byron Thurber is the Associate Principal and Aviation Leader for the San Francisco and Oakland offices of Arup. He has been in this position since 2021. Based in San Francisco, California, Byron leads the aviation team and manages various aviation-related projects. His role involves overseeing and guiding the planning and design of airport facilities, contributing to the strategic direction of Arup’s aviation sector.
Previous Roles at Arup
Before becoming the Associate Principal and Aviation Leader, Byron Thurber served as an Associate and Senior Airport Planner at Arup from 2012 to 2021. During his nine-year tenure, he worked on numerous high-profile airport projects, managing and planning airport facilities to enhance their efficiency and capacity.
Past Experience at Leigh Fisher
Byron Thurber worked as an Associate Director at Leigh Fisher, formerly known as Jacobs Consultancy, from 2001 to 2012 for 11 years. In this role, he was involved in various strategic planning and consultancy services for airports, focusing on improving operational efficiency and enhancing passenger experience.
Educational Background
Byron Thurber holds a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley, where he studied from 1988 to 1992. His academic background provided a solid foundation in architectural principles and design practices, which he has applied throughout his professional career in airport planning and architecture.
Involvement in Major Projects
Byron Thurber has been involved in significant projects across the globe, including the master planning of new airports in Central Poland and Western Sydney. He contributed to developing the Urban Air Mobility Policy Framework for the Los Angeles Department of Transportation. Byron also participated in design competitions for future skyports and vertiports with Uber Elevate and conducted obstacle clearance studies at Kingston Jamaica Airport and Macau Airport.
Key Projects in Airfield and Terminal Planning
Byron Thurber has worked on various airfield and terminal projects, including reconfiguration projects at Mexico City International Airport and JFK International Airport. He conducted master plan peer reviews for Dubai World Central / Al Maktoum International Airport and led airfield and terminal expansion projects at London-Gatwick Airport. His involvement at San Francisco International Airport highlights his expertise in both terminal and airfield planning.