Urban Engineers and Kimley-Horn Bolster Leadership Amidst Sector-Wide Strategic Reshuffle

Leading engineering and consulting firms Urban Engineers Inc. and Kimley-Horn have announced significant leadership appointments, reinforcing their expertise in critical rail and transit sectors. These moves, highlighted by eight new vice presidents at Urban Engineers, come as part of a broader trend of strategic leadership changes across the industry, with Urban’s promotions bookending a year that began with the appointment of a new CEO.

Main Body:

Urban Engineers Inc. has elevated a new cohort of leaders, promoting eight key employees to the role of vice president. In an official statement, the firm credited the individuals with demonstrating exemplary leadership and a deep commitment to its growth and success. The promotions span a wide range of the company’s core competencies, including Paul Archibald (traffic), Jason Babel (mechanical, electrical and plumbing), Peter Brennan (ports and waterways), Antonio Ditri (construction services), Mark Felici (human resources), Luigi Marraffino (construction management and inspection), and Andrew Van Schooneveld (Pennsylvania bridge). Additionally, Ron Swerdon, a senior project manager in program management oversight, was also promoted to vice president, solidifying the firm’s senior project delivery capabilities.

In a parallel move to strengthen specialized expertise, Kimley-Horn has welcomed Chad Edison to its transit and rail team. Based in the Sacramento, California office, Edison is tasked with expanding the firm’s network planning and management consulting services for both public and private sector clients. Edison brings a formidable track record of nearly 30 years in financial analysis and strategic planning. His extensive portfolio includes guiding and delivering major rail and transit projects for high-profile clients such as the state of California, Amtrak, AECOM, and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), adding significant weight to Kimley-Horn’s consulting prowess on the West Coast.

These appointments are not occurring in a vacuum. The promotions at Urban Engineers cap off a year of significant leadership evolution for the company, which appointed a new Chief Executive Officer in January. This pattern of refreshing and reinforcing leadership is mirrored across the engineering and construction sectors, where firms are strategically positioning talent to capture opportunities in a dynamic market. By elevating proven internal leaders and acquiring seasoned external experts, both firms are signaling a clear intent to deepen their technical and strategic capabilities in preparation for the next wave of infrastructure investment.

Key Takeaways

• Leadership Fortified: Urban Engineers promotes eight department managers to Vice President, strengthening its senior leadership across critical infrastructure verticals.
• Strategic Rail Hire: Kimley-Horn adds 30-year industry veteran Chad Edison to its team, significantly boosting its rail financial analysis and strategic planning capabilities.
• Broader Industry Trend: The moves reflect a sector-wide strategic repositioning, with firms reshuffling leadership to better compete for complex, large-scale transit and rail projects.

Editor’s Analysis

The simultaneous leadership enhancements at Urban Engineers and Kimley-Horn are a clear indicator of the rail and infrastructure consulting industry’s strategic direction. These are not merely administrative changes; they represent a deliberate effort to embed deep, specialized expertise at the highest levels of leadership. As governments globally, and particularly in North America, unlock historic levels of funding for infrastructure renewal, the firms best equipped to manage complex projects—from MEP and bridge engineering to intricate rail network financing—will secure the most significant contracts. By promoting proven internal talent and acquiring high-impact external experts, these companies are building the leadership architecture necessary to deliver on the promise of a modernized, efficient, and resilient transportation future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who were the key individuals promoted at Urban Engineers?

Urban Engineers promoted eight employees to VP, including Paul Archibald (traffic), Jason Babel (MEP), Peter Brennan (ports and waterways), and Andrew Van Schooneveld (Pennsylvania bridge), among others.

What expertise does Chad Edison bring to Kimley-Horn?

Chad Edison adds nearly three decades of experience in financial analysis and strategic planning for rail and transit. He has a history of delivering projects for major entities like Amtrak, the state of California, and the Federal Railroad Administration.

What is the broader context of these personnel changes?

These appointments are part of a wider industry trend where engineering and consulting firms are restructuring their leadership teams. For Urban Engineers, this follows the appointment of a new CEO earlier in the year, suggesting a comprehensive strategy to prepare for future growth and major infrastructure projects.