STV
As President of STV’s Transportation Northeast operating group, Marcos Díaz González will oversee project execution “to drive superior client service and strategic growth,” according to the firm, which plans, designs, and manages infrastructure projects across North America and employs 3,200 people at more than 60 offices across the U.S. Covering Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, the Northeast region is slated to receive nearly $1.5 trillion in federal investment for passenger rail improvements, STV reported.
Díaz González has 25-plus years’ experience in the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) industry encompassing operations, project execution, program management, and business development across multiple market sectors. Since joining STV in 2021, he has supported the development of the firm’s Strategic Plan and streamlined operations for its national practices. Díaz González is Chair of the Board of the ACE Mentor Program of Greater New York; past Chair of the Gowanus Canal Conservancy; Vice Chair of the Advisory Board of Columbia University’s Center for Buildings, Infrastructure and Public Spaces; and an Advisory Board member of the Eno Center for Transportation in Washington, D.C. He is also an adjunct professor at Columbia University’s Engineering School. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Stanford University and a Master of Architecture and Master of Business Administration from Yale University.
“Marcos is known for building strong teams, mentoring the next generation of leaders, and driving innovation to deliver better results for STV’s clients and our communities,” STV CEO Greg Kelly said. “He is exceptionally well-positioned to lead our transportation operations in the Northeast into its next phase of growth and client service excellence.”
John Ponzio succeeds Díaz González as Executive Vice President of STV’s Centers of Excellence, overseeing the firm’s specialized national practices including tunnels and geotech, project controls, systems, vehicles, maintenance facilities, and mobility/intelligent transportation systems. “He will focus on expanding these core practices while driving cross-collaboration and innovation among STV’s teams and clients,” the company reported.
Ponzio has spent his entire 25-year career at STV, starting as a junior engineer and progressing to lead the systems, vehicles and maintenance facilities teams. He has provided oversight for rail and transit projects for the majority of transit agencies throughout the U.S., and currently serves on an advisory board at the Penn State, Harrisburg, Capital College’s School of Science, Engineering and Technology. Ponzio earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Pennsylvania State University.
“John has consistently demonstrated the ability to grow our business while maintaining the highest technical standards and client service,” STV’s Greg Kelly commented. “We are proud of the exceptional career he has developed at STV and are excited to watch him continue to elevate our company and our people in this new leadership role.”
Garo Hovnanian joins STV from McKinsey & Company’s Capital Excellence practice as Executive Vice President of Advisory Services. In this newly created role, he will oversee STV’s aviation, digital advisory, planning, infrastructure economics, cities initiative, zero emissions, sustainable design, resilience and program management teams. Hovnanian has more than 20 years’ experience in the AEC industry, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Princeton University and a Master of Business Administration from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.
“Garo’s understanding of the motivations, strategies, strengths, and weaknesses of each stakeholder in the construction ecosystem gives him the unique insights needed to provide exceptional advisory services and help clients deliver transformative projects for communities,” STV’s Greg Kelly noted. “We are excited to welcome him to STV as we expand our upstream services.”
Separately, STV recently landed a contract to improve the safety and security of Valley Metro’s rail and streetcar network and promoted Thomas Lentz to Vice President.
HNTB
Janet Campbell-Lorenc has taken on a new role: Planning Practice Consultant specializing in rail at HNTB. With more than 20 years of experience in intercity passenger rail development, including planning, service development, engineering, environmental clearance, funding readiness, compliance, and oversight, she served most recently as Lead-Program Management at HDR, overseeing passenger rail corridor identification and development projects nationwide. Prior to that, Campbell-Lorenc was Program Sponsor-Infrastructure and Investment for Amtrak, and Vice President-Consulting Services for Systra.
Campbell-Lorenc earned a Master of City Planning and a Bachelor of Arts from San Diego State University. She is a certified planner with the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and part of professional organizations American Planning Association, APTA’s High Speed & Intercity Passenger Rail Committee, and the Women’s Transportation Seminar.
At HNTB, Campbell-Lorenc will collaborate with the firm’s rail clients and project teams to manage major rail development programs from planning through construction and operations. She will also provide strategic direction and analysis in the firm’s business development efforts.
“Janet’s proven track record in rail development projects positions her as a key asset to our team,” said Jeremy Colello, HNTB’s Pennsylvania Office Leader and Senior Vice President. “Her deep expertise in managing rail project life cycles and her dedication to technical excellence will further enhance our ability to deliver top-tier services to our clients.”
“Janet’s deep understanding of intercity rail development and success managing complex rail projects will be invaluable to our ongoing work with clients to help expand and modernize a national network of intercity passenger rail service,” said Henrika Buchanan, HNTB Transit and Rail National Practice Consultant and Senior Vice President, as well as a 2024 Railway Age Women in Rail honoree. “Her expertise in planning, engineering, and project management will drive innovation across our rail projects, benefiting both our clients and the public.”
INIT
A new team is heading up INIT, a Chesapeake, Va.-based supplier of integrated ITS and ticketing systems for buses, light rail and trains. As of Jan. 1, Carl Commons, former Chief Sales Officer, has taken the throttle as CEO; Andy Singh, former Chief Operations Officer East, is President and Chief Operations Officer; Eric Linxweiler, former Chief Operations Officer West, has taken on the newly created role of Chief Customer Officer; and Scott Walsh, former Senior Director of Business Development, is Executive Director of Sales and Marketing.
“INIT’s leadership changes mark the beginning of an exciting new era for the company,” INIT said. “Under the appointed executive team, INIT will continue to evolve while staying dedicated to operational continuity and excellent customer relationships. The company’s vision remains firmly rooted in shaping the future of mobility, now driven by the experience and guidance of its new management team.”
Commons is a seasoned transit professional with 17 years at INIT and 25 years of expertise managing sales, customer service, and technical teams.
Singh recently celebrated six years with INIT where he excelled as Director of Engineering before moving into the role of Chief Operations Officer.
Linxweiler’s 27 years of progressive senior leadership positions, including nine years with INIT, will “prove valuable as he focuses on building stronger connections with customers, helping them get the most out of INIT’s solutions, and ensuring that services and products continue to deliver high value to transit agencies,” according to INIT. His new position is said to highlight the company’s “ongoing commitment to putting customers first.”
Walsh has more than 25 years of transit experience and 10 years at INIT, having served in multiple technical and managerial roles.
