Today we’d like to introduce you to Roben Armstrong.
Hi Roben, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My career has been a series of intentional steps grounded in purpose, preparation, and a willingness to evolve. I went to undergrad for aviation, so the goal was always to be in this industry. But early in my career, I took on broader transportation and infrastructure roles that strengthened my project management, analytical thinking, and organizational leadership skills. Those experiences gave me a strong foundation—and, in hindsight, they prepared me to return to aviation with a deeper level of maturity and clarity.
As I grew professionally, I realized I wanted my work to be more strategic, community-centered, and long-term in its impact. That clarity is what led me to make a deliberate pivot back into aviation. I’ve always seen the aviation sector as a place where infrastructure, economics, and community development come together, and I knew my skill set could create meaningful value there. Moving into airport planning and strategy wasn’t a coincidence; it was a decision to realign my career with the field I originally set out to be part of.
Since then, I’ve built a career focused on long-range planning, capital program development, stakeholder engagement, and now business development and market leadership. Today, as a Senior Aviation Practice & Business Development Leader, I’m playing a key role in establishing our Houston office, strengthening our firm’s footprint across Southeast Texas, and supporting airports as they pursue projects that drive regional growth.
Through every chapter, my guiding anchor has been purpose and spiritual alignment. I view my role in corporate America as part of my ministry—an opportunity to lead with emotional intelligence, serve others, and leave every team, client, and community better than I found them.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I don’t think anyone’s road is completely smooth, and mine certainly hasn’t been. My journey has run parallel to real life — raising a son while building a career, managing a chronic illness, and grieving the loss of a parent. Those seasons were real, they were raw, and they were not always graceful. There were days I cried, days I yelled, and days I had to pray my way through the next hour. But I kept going because stopping wasn’t an option.
Balancing motherhood, health challenges, and a demanding profession required a level of grit I didn’t know I had. There were mornings I pushed through fatigue, nights I worked after my son went to bed, and moments where I led teams while carrying my own private battles. It was humbling and messy, but it made me stronger, wiser, and far more empathetic.
Professionally, I’ve had to navigate spaces where I was the only woman, the only Black professional, or the only one advocating for a more human approach to leadership. Those experiences stretched me, challenged my confidence, and pushed me to develop a voice grounded in conviction and grace.
What truly sustained me through all of it was my faith. Prayer has been the steady thread running through every season — the highs, the lows, and the moments in between. I’ve learned that it’s not only okay to pause and reflect, it’s necessary. Pausing gave me clarity. Prayer gave me peace. And purpose gave me direction.
The road hasn’t always been smooth, but every challenge taught me something: resilience, compassion, perseverance, and the importance of leading with both strength and softness. Those lessons shaped the woman and leader I am today.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
In my current role, I serve as a Senior Aviation Practice & Business Development Leader, focused on expanding our firm’s aviation presence across Southeast Texas and strengthening our long-range strategy across the region. A significant part of my work involves helping establish and grow our Houston office—building relationships, shaping our presence, and positioning us for long-term success in this market. I help position our firm for major airport opportunities, cultivate relationships with aviation leaders, and align teams around projects that support community growth and regional connectivity.
One thing that sets me apart is the breadth of my background. Even though aviation has always been my foundation, I spent the early part of my career working across several sectors of transportation. That experience expanded my perspective beyond a single discipline and gave me insight into how different modes—from roads and transit to high-speed rail—operate within large infrastructure systems. It taught me how decisions get made and how to lead confidently in complex, multi-agency environments.
I’ve had the opportunity to lead transformative, high-profile efforts throughout my career. That included overseeing the NEPA process for a major commuter light-rail alignment from Indiana to Chicago—work that earned an industry award and required deep coordination across local, regional, and federal agencies. I also led the early planning efforts for a new greenfield airport in Las Vegas, Nevada, a rare and significant initiative involving long-range visioning, complex stakeholder engagement, and foundational strategy development. These projects sharpened my ability to bring order to complexity and guide future-defining programs with clarity and confidence.
Another part of my work that I’m especially proud of is my commitment to developing the next generation of aviation and infrastructure professionals. Mentorship has been a consistent thread throughout my career—whether I’m guiding young planners, supporting emerging engineers, or helping students see what’s possible. Pouring into others is deeply important to me, and it’s one of the ways I live out my purpose. Leadership, to me, is not just about what you achieve; it’s about who you lift as you rise.
Today, I specialize in blending strategy, people, and purpose. I’m known for my ability to connect the technical side of aviation with the relational side of leadership—listening deeply, asking the right questions, and helping clients think beyond the immediate project to the long-term impact. What I’m most proud of is the reputation I’ve built as a steady, thoughtful, and relationship-driven leader.
Ultimately, my work is rooted in purpose, faith, and emotional intelligence. I aim to bring intention and care into every space I lead, influence, or support. Clients often describe me as a clear communicator and a trusted partner—someone who brings calm, clarity, and connection to complex challenges. That’s the impact I strive to make in every space I step into.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Something that often surprises people is that I’m a deeply creative person outside of the work I do in aviation. Most people know me for strategy, structure, and leadership—but I have a real love for interior design. Not in a professional sense, and not for anyone else’s home—just for mine. Creating beautiful, intentional spaces is one of my favorite personal outlets, and it brings a sense of balance that complements the highly technical and analytical work I do every day.
People are also surprised to learn that, despite how serious and composed I can be at work, I have a very playful side. I love to laugh, find humor in the smallest things, and take any opportunity to be a little goofy or lighthearted. Because so much of my day requires being intentional and focused, I treasure the moments where I can just be myself, let my guard down, and enjoy a genuine laugh.
Contact Info:
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/roben-l-armstrong-env-sp-37981529 or just search by my name
Image Credits
Professional Images 2 and 3 -Diedre Courtney Professional Headshot – Sabrina Casas Photography Studios
