One man’s path from land surveyor to digital specialist for construction and building operations
Robert Lee Brown started off his career as a land surveyor at the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Airport. When DFW embarked on a major renovation project for three terminals, they had no BIM program in place. His managers told Brown to spearhead the initiative, which eventually led to the creation of a comprehensive BIM standards manual. By 2018, the focus shifted to developing a digital twin for the airport, a concept that was still new to many. Through persistence and adaptation, Robert and his team navigated leadership changes, resource constraints, and the complexities of integrating new technologies. By 2024, DFW had a dedicated BIM task force and was continuously refining its standards to ensure operational efficiency and accurate information management for future projects. Brown’s journey underscores the importance of embracing new challenges and learning to "handle hard better" in the ever-evolving field of digital construction and technology.
About the speaker
Robert Brown is Senior Project Controls Systems Manager at DFW Airport.