Lauren Weinbaum, President of Weinbaum Management Group, did not set out in her career looking to launch her own company. But having the opportunity to learn firsthand the ins and outs of the complex field of airport construction management, she knew that she had invaluable skills to help deliver successful airport projects.
Since 2013, we have been so pleased to work with Weinbaum and help support the growth of her small business.
Weinbaum started her career in airport construction working for a major construction firm at LAX more than 10 years ago, when she first crossed paths with the URW team. Today, she owns her own company, employs 13 people, and is playing a key role in the Airport’s landmark modernization, working directly on projects like Bradley West Gates, Terminals 3 and 5, and more. URW was the first company to contract with her newly-formed firm.
“I’m very grateful to URW for believing in me and giving me a chance,” said Weinbaum. “Getting your first opportunity is really what helps start a company. I’m now in a position where I’m not only growing my business, but I’m also to help the next generation of small business owners find their footing in the industry and at LAX.”
Lauren Weinbaum, President of Weinbaum Management Group
“We’re thrilled to be working with more small, disadvantaged, woman-owned businesses in the architecture, construction and engineering fields,” said Maral Matossian, General Manager, URW Airports, LAX. “Lauren’s tremendous airport expertise, coupled with her strong work ethic and the quality of the services she provides enabled her dream of owning her own business to become a reality. We look forward to continuing to partner and support her business.”
Helping others work in the airport industry is what drove Weinbaum to start her own business after realizing that many construction firms interested in doing business in the airport were lacking direct aviation expertise. Her firm provides comprehensive construction management consulting services to general contractors and developers throughout a project. Her first role with URW was to help redevelop the Terminal 6 dining and retail program, followed by the new Tom Bradley West Gates and Terminal 3 redevelopment. “The airport is such an intricate place to build and many people don’t have the specific expertise and experience to complete the job,” she said. “I’m proud of the work we do and the company I have built. It is an honor to help companies thrive in an airport setting and work with URW and Los Angeles World Airports.”
Weinbaum, an Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) member, knows being an Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) positively impacts her business. She also hopes to help break down stereotypes of being an ACDBE business.
“Small disadvantaged businesses can have just as much expertise as large companies,” she said. “In many ways, we work harder because we’ve had to be scrappy to get to where they are today.”
Weinbaum continues to work on projects at LAX and has expanded not only to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), but also to non-aviation projects throughout California.
