NYS&W
As NYS&W’s new Chief Mechanical Officer, Patrick O’Donnell will oversee shop and field operations, locomotive maintenance programs, regulatory compliance, and capital improvement projects. He will also play a key role in advancing mechanical capabilities, integrating emerging technologies, and ensuring adherence to Federal Railroad Administration regulations at the Cooperstown, N.Y.-based railroad, which operates over 400 miles of track in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, and interchanges with CSX and Norfolk Southern.
O’Donnell spent the past decade at the New York State Department of Transportation, where he was a Rail Safety MPE Specialist. Prior to this, he served for nearly 10 years with NYS&W as a Locomotive Machinist. “His deep understanding of NYS&W operations, coupled with his regulatory background, uniquely positions him to lead our Maintenance of Equipment Department with a focus on safety, efficiency, and technological advancement,” NYS&W said.
Commented NYS&W CEO James Bonner: “His input will add depth in moving the railroad forward.”
HDR
Tara Erwin, Mike Estes and David Kinard have been promoted to transportation director positions at HDR, an Omaha, Neb.-based design firm specializing in engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services. They are responsible for leading the overall development and implementation of the firm’s regional transportation operational plans: Toronto, Canada-based Erwin overseeing Canada, Richmond, Va.-based Estes overseeing the U.S. Northeast, and Charleston, S.C.-based Kinard overseeing the U.S. Southeast. Providing infrastructure consulting and engineering services to public and private clients across all transportation markets, they will manage HDR’s work in freight rail, transit, highways, bridges, aviation, and maritime/ports. Within each region, they will also focus on client service and quality project delivery and assist with key recruitment efforts, business development, and the establishment of ongoing industry partnerships.
Estes, Erwin and Kinard’s appointments reflect “the ongoing growth of these regions, home to more than 2,000 transportation employees,” according to HDR. Each of the new directors have each been with the firm for more than a decade, serving in leadership positions and as key team members on such projects as the Ontario Line subway in Toronto, the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel in Virginia, and the Carolina Crossroads program in South Carolina.
“Tara, Mike and David have proven their dedication to providing our diverse clients with customized solutions that continue HDR’s commitment to quality, accountability, efficiency and innovation,” HDR Transportation President Tom McLaughlin said. “I’ve worked with all of them for years as HDR has grown across the Eastern U.S. and in Canada. I’m confident these regions will be well served by their leadership and broad industry experience.”
Separately, HDR recently hired Becca Nagorsky as Transit Planning Leader and promoted Ed Kane to Transportation Operations and Maintenance Facilities Design Director.
HNTB
Eric Olson has signed on with infrastructure firm HNTB as Vice President and Deputy Program Director for the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s BART Silicon Valley Phase II Extension project in California (see map above). He will lead the HNTB/WSP Joint Venture program management team, and oversee engineering management services, project controls, project management, procurement and contracting strategies, guidance to position the project for federal funding opportunities, stakeholder coordination, and project delivery.
Olson has 40 years of experience leading complex, large-scale transit infrastructure projects, including the East San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor rail extension, Mid-City Exposition Line, Pasadena Gold Line Eastside extension, and Pasadena Gold Line in the Los Angeles area. A licensed professional engineer in California, he holds an MBA from the University of Southern California and a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from California State Polytechnic University. He is a member of the Design-Build Institute of America, American Society of Civil Engineers and American Public Transit Association.
“Eric’s proven leadership and expertise in delivering mega rail programs on time and budget make him an invaluable addition to our team,” said Shannon Gaffney, Northern California and Nevada Office Leader and Vice President at HNTB. “We’re thrilled to have Eric support the transformative BART Extension project, which will create sustainable and efficient transportation solutions for the Santa Clara region.”
Separately, HNTB recently appointed Mike Smith, former Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Transportation, as National Practice Consultant and Vice President, and named Alexis Howland as Supervising Transportation Planner.
