Michael C. Jones has been the Deputy Program Manager on the O'Hare 21 Terminal & Capital Improvement Program since January 2017. The ORD 21 Program is a multi-Billion dollar program that will last for 8 to 12 years.

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His team, the Connect Chicago Alliance, earned a $210 million contract to oversee construction projects at Chicago's O'Hare and Midway airports through 2028. The group of companies, which boasts 54% participation by women and minorities, includes Jacobs Engineering Group, Ardmore/Roderick and GSG Consultants.

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What is O’Hare 21?

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O’Hare 21 includes all projects associated with expanding O’Hare’s capacity and connectivity and improving customer service at facilities including and surrounding the terminals. This includes projects that are completed, under construction, or planned.

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The major projects of O’Hare 21 are:

• The Terminal Area Plan (TAP)

• Completion of the O’Hare Modernization Program (OMP) major airfield projects

  • Runway 9C-27C

  • Runway 9R-27L extension

• Terminal 5 Concourse M gate expansion

• Terminal 3 Concourse L expansion

• Central deicing pad

• On-airport hotel developments

• Northeast cargo development

• 15-Year O’Hare Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)

• Various enabling and associated projects associated with the above

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How many jobs will be created by O’Hare 21?

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O’Hare 21 creates 62,000 total design and construction full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs through 2026. Aside from construction jobs there will professional service jobs that support construction and direct and indirect jobs created. O’Hare 21 is projected to increase annual FTE jobs in Cook County from 403,000 today to 450,000 in 2026. When you include the Nine-County Region surrounding the airport, O’Hare 21 is projected to increase annual FTE jobs from 540,000 today to 615,000 in 2026.

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Get answers to many more questions by downloading the Frequently Asked Question about the project.

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Prior to joining the Connect Chicago Alliancec, Michael was Great Lakes Regional Manager for the Giordian Group where oversaw all Business Development and Operatons in the Great Lakes Region (Ohio to Montana and North).

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Before thi,s he was Vice President of Operations for McKissack & McKissack from 2003-2013.  Prior to this, he was Vice President of Louis Jones Enterprises from 2000 to 2013.  Prior to this, he was Job Order Contracting Program Manager at Meccor Industries from 1998 to 2000.

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Michael holds a Masters of Project Management from Keller Graduate School of Management and a BS in Electrical Engineering from Lehigh University.

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