STV
Sissel Berntsen-Heber has joined STV as Vice President and Transportation Infrastructure Leader within the Transportation West group, overseeing delivery staff for rail, civil and transportation structures.
With almost 30 years’ experience in the transportation industry, Berntsen-Hebe specializes in highway, roadway, and rail design and has led multidisciplinary teams who delivered civil, rail, and structures design solutions for California’s transit agencies. She served previously as Senior Engineering Manager at WSP USA.
Berntsen-Heber holds a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from the University of Southeastern Norway, and both a Bachelor of Science in business management and a Master’s in Business Administration from California State University, Fresno. She is a member of the Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS).
The Transportation West group provides comprehensive engineering, planning and design services for transportation projects including environmental, civil and rail infrastructure, systems, facilities, and structures, according to STV. Recent projects include the Valley Metro Tempe Street Car Expansion, Sound Transit East Link/Northgate Link Extensions Systems Construction, California High Speed Rail, LA Metro Zero-Emissions Bus Program, and LA Metro Purple Line Extension Section 2 and Section 3.
“Sissel is an industry leader who drives some of California’s most consequential transportation projects,” said Liz Justison, President of the Transportation West group at STV. “Her leadership in transit and rail, coupled with her holistic focus on mentorship, will enhance our projects and help develop our local teams.”
Bob Fletcher has also joined STV. As Vice President of Business Development for the Construction Management group, he focuses on managing key client accounts and cultivating community partnerships for continued growth, according to STV.
Fletcher has more than 40 years of experience as a business development leader, and served most recently as Director of Business Development for Vanir Construction Management, a privately held company that provides a wide range of services from pre-construction through closeout.
Fletcher is an active member of several community and professional organizations in California and across the country, including the Design Build Institute of America, Construction Management Association of America, American Association of Healthcare Engineering, American Correctional Association, California State Association of Counties, and Coalition for Adequate School Housing.
“Bob’s experience and expertise will help drive our continued expansion in the West, where we’ve grown significantly in recent years,” said Luis Delgado, President of the national Construction Management group at STV. “Bob is uniquely positioned to leverage his strong industry relationships and deep knowledge to enhance and expand our capabilities across cities and counties.”
In a related development, Sean Libberton recently joined STV as Vice President and National Transit Corridor Strategy and Development Leader.
TTSG
Debbie Taylor in September opened a new executive search firm, TTSG, specializing in the transportation industry. Led by Taylor, a seasoned recruiter with more than 25 years of experience, the firm is dedicated to helping organizations across the freight, rail, passenger transport, logistics, trucking, port and maritime sectors attract top leadership talent.
Taylor has worked with organizations ranging from Fortune 500 companies to emerging start-ups. With a vast network spanning North America and beyond, she is said to bring a “tailored, client-centric approach to every engagement.” Taylor has also served as an ad hoc faculty member at major universities and has led teams across six continents.
“TTSG is more than specialized recruiters—we’re a direct response to the transactional approach that treats people like logistical puzzles,” Taylor said. “We’ve spent years immersing ourselves in the industry, working to understand not just the operations but the heart of the business. Whether we’re walking the tracks or meeting with leadership, our goal is to build relationships, get to know your unique needs, and connect you with talent that will truly help your business thrive.”
