Port of Los Angeles
The Port of Los Angeles on Jan. 14 announced that it has promoted Artie Mandel to Director of Government Affairs, a position overseeing the Port’s collaborative efforts with governmental entities at the local, regional, state and federal levels. His duties will involve advocacy, legislative coordination, grant funding identification and coalition building, among other responsibilities.
Mandel previously served as the Port’s Director of Strategic Initiatives. In his new position, he will continue to report to Avin Sharma, the Port’s Senior Director of Workforce and Government Affairs.
“Artie has a long track record of bringing stakeholders together to tackle challenging policy issues, and facilitate smart and strategic solutions,” Sharma said. “His extensive background and understanding of government processes across all levels of government, along with his strong work ethic, are a tremendous asset to our Port. We look forward to seeing all he will be able to accomplish in this new role.”
Prior to joining the Port, Mandel served as Chief of Intergovernmental and Legislative Affairs for the City of Los Angeles, where he oversaw federal, state and local government affairs and advocacy. In that role, he worked with City Departments and the City Council to develop and execute the City’s legislative program. During his tenure there, he was credited with helping secure more than $1 billion in state homelessness assistance and housing grants for the City.
Previous to that, he served for 10 years on Capitol Hill as Senior Policy Advisor for U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Legislative Director for Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), where he focused on tax, international trade and affordable housing policy.
Originally from New Jersey, Mandel earned a bachelor’s degree in government and politics from the University of Maryland.
HDR
Grace Baird, PE, has joined HDR as a practice lead specializing in overhead contact systems, the firm recently announced.
In her new role, Baird will “leverage her diverse rail project knowledge and expertise to support HDR’s rail and transit systems clients across the globe, applying her experience in electrification to the planning and design of trolley and light rail systems and associated infrastructure.”
“I’m thrilled to have Grace on our team,” said HDR Rail and Transit Systems Director Rick Schmedes. “Her leadership and experience with project interfaces, systems engineering, package and project management will be pivotal in applying the latest technologies and industry standards on our rail projects.”
Based in San Francisco, Baird has more than 18 years of experience in the design of direct current and alternating current overhead contact systems. She has experience designing wire profiles, layout plans, cross sections, hanger lengths and allocations for transit systems both in the U.K. and the U.S. In the U.K., she was the OCS contractor’s responsible engineer for a section of the Greater West project, electrifying the rail network between London and Wales, and a section of the Transpennine Route Upgrade, electrifying the railway between Manchester and Leeds.
Since returning to the U.S. in 2022, she has been involved in the Caltrain Electrification project, the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) Central Valley Stations project and the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Silicon Valley Phase 2 tunnel. In her new role at HDR, she has provided OCS oversight and design on the Green Line Operating and Maintenance Facility in Minnesota and the Omaha Streetcar project in Nebraska.
Baird is also a leader in the transit and rail industry as the secretary for the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association’s (AREMA) Committee 33, setting guidelines and practices for electrification systems throughout North America.
“I’m excited to help expand the reach of HDR’s growing rail and transit systems practice,” Baird said. “I’m looking forward to merging my skills with in-house resources to fully design and integrate an electrified railway, helping clients and the OCS team deliver valuable transportation infrastructure solutions.”
NS
NS Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Ed Elkins was recently named as the 2025 Chair of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the Class I announced in an X post.
Elkins was 2024 Vice Chair of the Georgia Chamber, and succeeds Pedro Cherry, President and CEO, Atlanta Gas Light and Chattanooga Gas, who continues his service with the Georgia Chamber as Immediate Past Chair.
“Ed’s leadership and dedication to Georgia’s growth will drive sustainable progress and strengthen our communities,” NS wrote.
“We’re proud to see NS represented at the [annual Georgia Chamber of Commerce Eggs & Issues Breakfast] as we continue powering the nation’s supply chain from right here in Georgia,” NS added.
