that U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has appointed Eric Potts to a three-year term on the Oversight Committee of the Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP). The ACRP is a federal organization that provides the nation's airports with solutions to common operating problems. Eric will be eligible for one additional four-year term.

The ACRP, which is sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration, carries out applied research to improve planning, design and operation of airports. Its research reports are used by airport operators, local agencies and industry associations to address a broad spectrum of airport issues, ranging from safety to the environment to human resources. 

Eric and his colleagues on the Oversight Committee will review submitted research ideas and determine which ones will receive funding.

Eric, who is based in our office in Pearland, Texas, is an Account Director serving the Aviation and Ports markets. Before joining Freese and Nichols last summer, Eric served as Deputy Director of Aviation and Interim Director of the Houston Airport System, which oversees George Bush Intercontinental Airport, William P. Hobby Airport and Ellington Airport. During his 27-year military career, he was the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Executive Director for Civil Works, managing the execution of the $5 billion Civil Works Program.