Coltrane named to Airport Business Top 40 Under 40 list

Kansas Aviation Leader Caleb Coltrane has been named to the 2025 Airport Business Top 40 Under 40 list in recognition of his commitment to serving aviation clients, the industry, and his community.

Coltrane began his career with Garver in 2009, and has been successfully designing infrastructure solutions for airports - to date, he has worked with 62 airports across eight states - ever since. In 2017, he led Garver’s expansion into south central Kansas, where there was a need for aviation-focused engineers. Garver's Wichita office has now grown to 65 employees and is at the center of the region’s advancing aviation infrastructure.

In addition, under Coltrane’s leadership, Garver’s Kansas aviation practice has grown from five Engineer-of-Record (EOR) contracts to 13 – equating to five times the annual revenue – plus three times the clientele, including architects, contractors, aircraft manufacturers, private developers, and state aviation agencies.

The impact of Coltrane’s expertise, experience, and professionalism hasn’t just benefited Garver’s Kansas aviation practice, however; he has also contributed significantly to the industry as a whole, routinely speaking at technical conferences such as the Federal Aviation Administration’s 4-States Conference, Kansas Airport Association Conference, the American Society of Civil Engineers Conference, the American Concrete Pavement Association Conference. He has also testified before the Kansas legislature to increase state funding for airport infrastructure.   

Understanding that the future of the industry lies with the next generation of engineers and aviators, Coltrane makes it a top priority to connect with and encourage young minds.

He is heavily involved with multiple professional organizations, serving as an officer for the American Society of Civil Engineers, participating on the Conference Planning Committee and Scholarship Committee for the Kansas Association of Airports, and completing the Emerging Leaders Program through the American Council of Engineering Companies. He regularly volunteers with Wichita Public Library’s Hands-On Engineering program as a presenter, introducing students to the world of opportunities available to them in the field through engaging activities. 

On the weekends, Coltrane can be found cheering on his children at the baseball field and theatre stage or serving at his church as the AWANA games leader and as a deacon. An aviation trailblazer and devoted community member, he is an exemplary leader whose work both in and outside of the office has left a lasting impact on the region and industry.