NEW YORK — WSP, a leading engineering, environment and professional services firm, welcomes 150 individuals into its U.S. Technical Leadership Program, acknowledging their commitment to working at the highest level of technical thought, action and innovation.
WSP’s Technical Leadership Program recognizes U.S. employees who distinguish themselves in their respective technical fields through championing technical excellence and innovation. The program highlights technical achievements, leadership skills, and industry contributions, distinguished by four levels within the program: Technical Fellow, Senior Technical Principal, Technical Principal and, new for this year, Emerging Technical Professional.
“Candidates that meet the stringent criteria of the program — which includes receiving excellent internal and external endorsements, and demonstrating a history of participation in professional societies, publishing and mentoring — are welcomed into the Technical Leadership Program,” said Alice Lovegrove, senior vice president and a Technical Fellow who serves as committee chair for the program. “We greatly value and thank all of our technical awardees for their ongoing commitment to excellence.”
This year, 16 Technical Fellows — the program’s highest level — were inducted:
- John Chow, vice president, transportation planning, knowledge management for infrastructure resilience (New York);
- Alan Danaher, senior vice president, transit and rail engineering, bus rapid transit, transit signal priority and ITS (Orlando);
- Martin Derby, PG, CPG, vice president, business development, oil and gas programs/pipeline geohazards (Buffalo);
- Ronald Huffman, vice president, landscape architect and planner (Kennesaw, Georgia);
- Jeffrey Keaton, senior vice president, seismic geologist (Phoenix);
- Stephen Klein, senior vice president, tunnel and geotechnical engineer (San Francisco);
- Maureen Leahy, vice president, environmental science, soil and groundwater remediation and PFAS expert (Chelmsford, Massachusetts);
- Gaël Le Bris, CM, ENV SP, PE, vice president, aviation planning, engineering and safety (Raleigh);
- Kun David Li, PhD, PE, BCGE, F. ASCE, geotechnical engineering and earthquake engineering (New York);
- Peter Liebowitz, senior vice president, environmental planning and environmental impact assessment (New York);
- Andrew Madison, vice president, chemical science, remediation (Marlton, New Jersey);
- Kevin Mishoe, lead consultant, chemical engineering, regulatory ozone monitoring, low level nitrogen gas and aerosol deposition (Gainesville, Florida);
- Christopher Rogers, vice president, data analysis and interpretation, data management (Jacksonville, Florida);
- Michael D. Smith, PhD, senior vice president, environmental impact assessment (San Francisco);
- John Thornley, PhD, PE, vice president, geotechnical engineering (Anchorage, Alaska); and
- Joseph Viola, LEED AP, vice president, project management, bridge engineering (New York).
“Our Technical Fellows are distinguished thought leaders who have a proven track record of leadership positions in professional societies and industry conferences; regularly publish articles in peer-reviewed technical journals; are national and international subject matter experts often sought after by media outlets; and effectively transfer their knowledge to other emerging professionals at WSP and beyond,” Lovegrove said.
Presently, more than 500 employees of WSP in the U.S. are honorees of the Technical Leadership Program.
The Technical Leadership Program committee, which is responsible for upholding the standards of the program, includes Kirstin Dolan, Marie Gunnerson, Nathan Hagelin, Hugh Kaiser, Justin Lennon, Gary Pomerantz and Lisa Tallent. The committee thoroughly reviews each application to determine if a candidate meets the high standards set within the program and provides guidance for those whose application may not have demonstrated all the qualities that are required for designation within the program.
About WSP in the U.S.
WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world’s leading engineering, environment and professional services firms. Recognized in 2023 on TIME’s list of the world’s best companies and Fortune’s Change the World list, WSP is driving social impact and commitment to ESG. WSP in the U.S. brings together engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals who are dedicated to collaborate in the best interests of serving local communities. WSP designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With approximately 14,000 employees in 300 offices across the U.S., WSP partners with its clients to help communities prosper. wsp.com
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