Dan Vicari, Lyles School of Civil Engineering alumnus and Crown Point native, says he never expected his career path would lead to the skies above.

Vicari (BSCE ’99, MSCE ’01) serves as the executive director for the Gary/Chicago International Airport. He oversees the public-private partnership between the City of Gary, the Gary/Chicago International Airport
Authority and AvPORTS, the private aviation facilities company that manages the airport.

In 2015, The Times of Northwest Indiana named Vicari one of its “20 under 40” for his leadership and commitment to the region. Referring to this honor, Denise Dillard of the Gary/Chicago International Airport
Authority board says, “Dan has demonstrated an overwhelming commitment to revitalizing the community as a whole.”

Vicari says, “I always planned on pursuing a career in environmental engineering. Even back in high school, I knew civil engineering with an environmental focus was what I wanted to study.”

Vicari describes his college career as “stressful but fun.” He has fond memories of studying under the guidance of Ernest “Chip” Blatchley III, professor of civil engineering and environmental and ecological engineering, and James Alleman, professor of civil engineering (now at Iowa State University).

In 2012, Vicari was appointed executive director of the Gary Sanitary and Storm Water District. He was responsible for managing the district’s advanced wastewater treatment operation that serves 98 square miles across four cities in northwest Indiana at a plant that treats 120 million gallons a day.

During this time, he met executives from the Gary/Chicago International Airport. The airport was looking to expand and sought advice from knowledgeable city and county employees. Vicari was among the people who provided counsel — which led to the offer to serve as the project manager for the airport’s $174 million runway extension project. A year later, he became the airport’s executive director.

Looking back, Vicari says he feels fortunate to have had so many opportunities in his life — many of which were made possible through the education he received at Purdue University.

“Purdue’s civil engineering education prepared me well and gave me the tools I needed to succeed,” he says. “I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished, and I’m proud of my Purdue roots.”