For VHB, New Piedmont Atlantic Region, Regional Leadership
“Fabricio brings a deep understanding of market and industry trends, and strong trusted client relationships to lead our Piedmont Atlantic Region, a growing megaregion of the Southeastern U.S. known for its economic growth, critical transportation corridors, and ever-growing population,” the Watertown, Mass.-based firm reported Oct. 2. The new Piedmont Atlantic Region will comprise five offices across Georgia and North Carolina, plus more than 250 employees, according to VHB, which partners with clients in the transportation, real estate, institutional, and energy industries, as well as federal, state, and local governments.
Fabricio Ponce joined VHB in Orlando, Fla., more than a decade ago before relocating to Atlanta, Ga., in 2019. Since then, he has helped triple the office’s growth to more than 125 multidisciplinary professionals who serve public and private clients in transportation planning and design, environmental resources, land development, landscape architecture, and multimodal public transportation, according to the firm. “Under Fabricio’s leadership, VHB’s Georgia offices experienced significant growth through organic and strategic acquisitions that bolstered the office’s capabilities in land development, civil engineering, and aquatic resource services,” VHB reported. “He has been instrumental with project delivery and strategic pursuits for some of the region’s most significant mobility and connectivity initiatives, including developing a Regional Safety Strategy for the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), leading the General Planning Consulting Services Contract for Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), and leading the Rural Active Transportation Plan and the Cultural Resources Support Services Contract, both for the Georgia Department of Transportation.”
Joe Wanat will lead VHB’s Mid-Atlantic Region, home to 300 employees in Washington, D.C., and Maryland, and across Virginia in Tysons, Williamsburg, Richmond, and Virginia Beach. According to VHB, he will collaborate with the firm’s Mid-Atlantic Managing Directors, Market Leaders, and Service Leaders to continue to advance growth and service delivery.
“Over his 30-year career at VHB, Joe has consistently delivered impactful results,” the firm reported. “Since taking on the role as Metro DC Managing Director in 2022, he has doubled the office size to 100 employees and strengthened relationships with clients like the District Department of Transportation, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, Virginia Department of Transportation, and Arlington County. His recent projects in Metro DC include the nation’s largest urban smart streetlight modernizations and the DC Strategic Fleet Electrification Plan to transition DC’s public fleet to EVs by 2035—the largest public fleet electrification initiative in the country.” Prior to leading the Metro DC offices, he served as Managing Director for VHB’s Providence, R.I., office and Director of Transportation Planning and Operations in VHB’s Watertown office. Wanat has 35 years of service in the U.S. Army Reserve and is currently a Colonel at the Pentagon.
With Wanat stepping into his new role, Nancy Barker, PWS, PWD, who has been serving as both Mid-Atlantic Regional Manager and Federal Market Leader, will be dedicated to advancing VHB’s Federal Market program.
“Evolving our regional organization is a significant milestone for VHB, underscoring both our growth and our commitment to supporting our people and clients,” said Mike Carragher, PE, President and CEO. “This advancement creates new leadership and growth opportunities while enhancing the experience we deliver to our clients. Fabricio and Joe will help propel VHB forward and strengthen our foundation for future generations.”
VHB in August reported that Chief Operating Officer Bill Ashworth has been selected as the firm’s next President and CEO, succeeding Mike Carragher, who will continue in the position for the remainder of 2025 to help execute a transition plan. Ashworth will officially take on his role as President in January 2026, working closely with Carragher until he fully transitions into the President and CEO role in July 2026, according to VHB. Carragher will continue to serve as the firm’s Chair for the next several years, VHB said.
VHB has more than 30 offices on the East Coast, spanning Connecticut; Washington, D.C.; Virginia; Georgia; Florida; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; New Hampshire; New Jersey; New York; North Carolina; Vermont; and Rhode Island.
