Where Mentorship Becomes Partnership

IEA and Simon Engineering build together

We’ve all had people who were willing to show us the ropes. For IEA, being a mentor is an opportunity to share what we’ve learned and help another firm take on new opportunities. 

DFW International Airport encourages prime firms to mentor local small businesses. This helps create opportunities for firms to gain experience and capabilities needed to support its growing programs. When IEA had the opportunity to partner with Simon Engineering, the fit made sense. Simon had strong technical capabilities, a commitment to growth, and a team ready to take on new opportunities. 

But a successful mentorship is about more than checking a box or meeting a program requirement. It is about building a relationship where both firms can learn, communicate, and work together. 

“It’s not often that when you’re invited to a team, you have the support that you need to really succeed,” said Nikki Simon, CEO of Simon Engineering.  

IEA didn’t simply make Simon part of the team and expect them to figure everything out. The relationship included opportunities to participate in IEA’s internal training, learn about project management, understand client expectations, and work through some of the processes that come with taking on a new client, like DFW International Airport was for Simon at the time. 

“Being able to have a partner that is willing to kind of show you the ropes and guide you through that was really the exciting part,” Nikki said. 

While IEA brings experience working across different clients, project types and processes, Simon brings its own strengths to the relationship. As a smaller firm, Simon’s team brings a willingness to learn, a strong work ethic and a “whatever it takes” approach to the work. 

“We’re much smaller. But we have a hungry group of people that want to learn and want to put their best foot forward,” describes Nikki.  

Over time, that shared experience has created something beyond the original Mentor-Protégé relationship. The firms have developed an understanding of how each other works, built trust through project experience and created opportunities to continue working together. 

“IEA brings extensive DFW International Airport experience, aviation knowledge, and project delivery expertise. Simon brings talented engineers, fresh perspectives, and a strong drive to grow. Together, we combine experience and innovation to deliver greater value to our clients,” said Shakeel Ahmed, CEO and Principal of IEA.  

For Shakeel, one of the most meaningful outcomes is seeing Simon continue to grow and take on new opportunities. 

“I’m most excited about seeing Simon continue to grow and eventually pursue work as a prime consultant. Helping develop another strong aviation engineering firm benefits both the industry and DFW International Airport by increasing the number of qualified partners available to support future programs and projects,” said Shakeel.  

IEA has benefited from people willing to share their experience with us throughout our own growth. Mentoring another firm like Simon is one way to pass that experience along.