People on the Move: July 2024
7/24/2024
BOSTON, MA—Desiree Patrice, chief of integrated transit programs for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), has received the 2024 Women Making Transportation History Award from the Conference of Minority Transportation Official (COMTO) Boston Chapter. The award is given to a distinguished woman who has made a profound contribution to the transportation industry. Patrice, with more than two decades of construction and civil engineering expertise, was honored for her leadership of transformative programs to improve MBTA’s Red, Orange, Green, and Mattapan lines, overcoming inherent challenges associated with historic infrastructure, and developing creative strategies to navigate complex issues. Patrice was recognized for her enduring dedication to public service, exceptional leadership, and impact within the Capital Transformation program at MBTA.
EPHRATA, PA—WSP has named Joseph Sczurko as president, USA. Sczurko has been a licensed professional engineer since 1989, with extensive experience and management responsibility in consulting and engineering services. He was serving as CEO of Wood E&I when WSP announced its intention to acquire the business in 2022. Until now, Sczurko has led WSP’s Earth & Environment business in the U.S.
WSP also announces the appointment of Christopher Peters to the role of chief operating officer, USA, overseeing operational efficiency in alignment with strategic goals. With 30 years of experience in the engineering industry, Peters has served in a wide variety of management roles. He joined WSP in 2017 and until now was president, West Region in the U.S., and was responsible for operations and growth of multiple business lines, including transportation, property and buildings, water, energy, and advisory services.
PHOENIX AZ—Gina Thomas, P.E., ENV SP, LEED AP, has been promoted to global BRT practice leader at HDR. Thomas has experience managing and delivering transit projects from initial alternatives analysis, conceptual engineering, and planning-level cost estimating, to final design and construction. Thomas has spent 14 years advancing transit projects at HDR. In her new role, she will help clients identify, build, and deliver BRT services in the U.S. and Canada. For APTA, Thomas is a member of the Automated Transit Technical Forum.
NEW BRITAIN, CT—DATTCO announces the promotion of Kyle A. DeVivo to the role of chief operating officer. DeVivo has previously served the company in roles including special projects manager, director of employee relations, terminal manager, and, most recently, assistant vice president of sales for the motor coach & tour division. In his new role, he will oversee the operations of both the motor coach & tour and school bus divisions.
LOS ANGELES, CA—John Hong, PE, has joined HNTB Corporation as construction project director. He is based in the firm’s Los Angeles office and supports regional projects, including the California High-Speed Rail construction packages. Hong has more than 30 years of experience in construction management. He has spent much of his career with California DOT, most recently as senior construction engineer. In addition to his PM/CM leadership on job sites, Hong served as an instructor for Caltrans, teaching construction procedures and standards.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN—IndyGo welcomes Britt S. Griffin as its new chief people officer. Griffin comes to IndyGo with extensive experience in human resources initiatives; talent acquisition; employee engagement; and diversity, equity, and inclusion and belonging leadership. He most recently served as vice president of people & culture and diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging at Infrastructure & Energy Alternatives. Prior to his time there, Griffin worked for Medxcel, Damar Services, Inc., Finish Line, Anthem, and more within the Indianapolis area.
IndyGo also announces Brooke Thomas as its new, permanent chief development officer. She had been working in the role on an interim basis since December 2023. Thomas has substantial experience in strategic and urban planning, policy and data research, and community development. Before assuming this position, she held several leadership roles in fare collection system modernization, strategic planning, capital programming, short- and long-range service planning and transit-oriented development over her more than five years with the agency. As chief development officer, Thomas will be responsible for the agency’s strategic planning, engineering, and construction initiatives.
DALLAS, TX—Dallas Area Rapid Transit has selected Collina Washington-Beard as its senior vice president of procurement. Washington-Beard joins DART after more than 18 years leading business and procurement services with several transit organizations and most recently serving as the chief business officer at the Eugene School District in Eugene, OR. She will oversee the agency’s contracts and purchasing functions, as well as maintain oversight of the agency’s materials management and diversity and vendor management divisions. For APTA, Washington-Beard is a member of the Diversity and Inclusion Council and serves on the Procurement and Supply Chain, Mid-Size Operations, Workforce Development, and Legislative committees, among others.
