JACKSON, Miss. (March 17, 2025) – Neel-Schaffer is pleased to announce the return of Graham Coffelt, PE, to serve as the firm’s Aviation Discipline Lead.
In this newly created position, Graham will be tasked with growing staff and strategically expanding the firm’s geographic footprint with airports around the Southeast.
Graham began his engineering career in 2010 with Neel-Schaffer, then worked for the last nine years for the Federal Aviation Administration, advancing through three key roles.
Most recently, he served as the Acting Manager for the Memphis Airport District Office. In that position, he supervised a team of 19 engineers, environmental specialists, and planners while providing regulatory oversight of 202 airports across Tennessee, Kentucky, and North Carolina. He managed multiple federal grant programs that issued more than 200 grants totaling $537 million annually. Additionally, he oversaw complex projects at large airports, such as the $1 billion Parallel Runway Program at Charlotte-Douglass International Airport.
“Graham has a unique combination of technical expertise, leadership, and industry connections that will be key in shaping the future of our aviation team,” said Neel-Schaffer Chief Operating Officer Robert Walker, PE. “His experience with the FAA and his ability to build strong relationships will help us expand our reach and strengthen our aviation services. We are committed to investing in top talent, and Graham’s leadership will play a key role in growing our team and enhancing our capabilities.”
“It’s recruiting, it’s training, and it’s marketing,” said Graham. “We are going to grow, step by step. There are numerous services we can offer, and I am excited about bringing the Neel-Schaffer brand to some strategic areas where we have not traditionally worked. With my experience with the FAA, clients are going to trust me. We can help them and become their trusted partner.”
Graham is a Registered Professional Engineer in Mississippi. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Mississippi State University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Mississippi.
