Related Links:
Port Authority explains latest George Washington Bridge problems
Peter Zipf, former chief engineer of The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey and a 30-year agency veteran, joined Omaha design firm HDR on Oct. 5 as vice president and northeast region transportation director based in New York City, ENR confirms. In his most recent role since 2010, Zipf managed what HDR said was a $27.6-billion capital budget for the New York City-based real estate and infrastructure authority in two states.
Replacing Zipf, who stepped down in August, is Jim Starace, former manager of the authority's construction management division. He has managed two large N.Y.-N.J. bridge renovations now underway and the modernization of LaGuardia Airport in Queens, N.Y., among other projects.
Ina Brandes, John Chubb and Ton de Jong have joined Stockholm, Sweden-based engineer SWECO as presidents of the firm's business units in central Europe, Denmark and The Netherlands, respectively, a spokeswoman told ENR. Their appointments follow the firm's acquisition of Holland-based design firm Grontmij, which was completed on Sept. 25, said SWECO. Brandes, Chubb and de Jong had been country managing dircectors, respectively, in Germany, Denmark and Holland. The firm said that with purchase of the 6,000-person Grontmij, it now has 14,000 global employees. ”With one move, we have become the European leader," says Tomas Carlsson, Sweco president and CEO. A company spokesman confirms that Grontmij chief executive Michiel Jaski and Chief Financial Officer Frits Vervoort will not join Sweco.
SWECO ranks 34th on ENR's list of The Top 150 Global Design Firms, with $1.26 billion in global revenue; Grontmij ranks at No. 41, with $1 billion, based on 2013 revenue reports. But the firm said earlier this year that its sales fell 20% between 2010 and 2014, with margins dropping from 4% to 0.9, it added.
Anthony B. Bouchard has joined global engineering and construction firm CDM Smith as North America Unit President, based in Chicago office. Most recently, he was the Executive Vice President of AECOM’s Americas Water business, Bouchard is a director of World Business Chicago and a founding member of the Clarkson University School of Engineering Dean’s Leadership Council.
Sundt Construction Inc. has elevated Mike Hoover to president. Formerly executive vice president and chief operating officer for the general contractor’s civil group, he replaces David S. Crawford, who remains CEO. Tom Case, who joined Sundt in March as civil group senior vice president, succeeds Hoover. He retired in 2014 as senior vice president of operations services at Granite Construction, after a 27-year career.
