California & Northwest People: December 2024
Photo courtesy HNTB
Christopher Coulter has rejoined HNTB as group director of aviation and rail/transit responsible for leading multiple teams in the design and delivery of large infrastructure projects. He will manage HNTB’s rail and transit practice in the Puget Sound region. Coulter most recently served as the senior manager of capital programs for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. He has also overseen aviation projects at many airports including Salt Lake City International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, Portland International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport.
David Deiranieh has joined Burns & McDonnell as a federal group business development manager based in the firm’s San Diego office. His primary focus will be developing business and delivering facility infrastructure for Navy commands on the West Coast. Deiranieh has more than 38 years of experience, including his 31 years with the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command. In addition, Jon Leffert and Gary Pare of the firm’s California region have been promoted to its principal group, a senior level of leadership recognizing outstanding performance and technical excellence.
Balfour Beatty US Civils business has hired Steven J. Reiser as chief estimator in the West based out of the company’s Long Beach, Calif., office. Reiser will oversee the estimating of projects within rail, highway and bridge sectors in California as well as work alongside and support Balfour Beatty Civils teammates with estimating processes across the country. Reiser’s experience includes the procurement and deliveries of highway and bridge projects in California as well as various projects on behalf of Port of Los Angeles and the Fontana Channel project for San Berardino County Flood Control.
Photo courtesy Parametrix
Parametrix has promoted Kristen McCoy to Oregon/Idaho vice president overseeing the region’s community building and environmental divisions. She previously served as the region’s operations manager. McCoy, who joined the firm in 2006, will serve on the firm’s functional integration team and partner with other regional leaders. She will continue to lead multidisciplinary teams to deliver Idaho Transportation Dept. and local agency infrastructure projects in Idaho.
Chris Chany has been promoted to Swinerton’s vice president and director of corporate services based in the firm’s San Diego office. A member of the firm’s corporate services team since 2018, Chany has helped to grow Swinerton’s corporate services portfolio from $300 million to just over $1 billion in revenue in just four years. Chany will guide the team of national account executives and provide strategic leadership for multi-location firms. Luis Martinez has joined Swinerton’s Seattle division as project executive, leading all phases of preconstruction and construction from design to turnover. With over 25 years of industry experience, Martinez is part of the 2024 Urban Land Institute Center for Leadership cohort.
Syska Hennessy Group has promoted Sami El Khoury to associate principal. El Khoury, who is based in San Francisco, oversees operations in that office and in Syska’s Sacramento office. He has more than 17 years of experience in managing, designing, executing, testing and commissioning for MEP projects.
Photo courtesy STV
Bob Fletcher has joined STV as vice president of business development for the firm’s construction management group. In this role, Fletcher will focus on managing key client accounts and cultivating community partnerships for continued growth. Sissel Berntsen-Heber has joined the firm as vice president and transportation infrastructure leader within the firm’s Transportation West group. Berntsen-Heber will oversee delivery staff for rail, civil and transportation structures across the West region.
Ware Malcomb has hired Smita Gupta as Regional Director to lead the company’s San Diego offices. In this role, she will work closely with San Diego’s existing leaders to continue the firm’s growth and diversification in the region. Most recently, Gupta – a 30 year veteran of the firm – served as the firm’s regional sciences practice area leader for the southwest United States, demonstrating her versatility and expertise across sectors.
