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HOUSTON (December 20, 2021) – Michael Baker International, a global leader in engineering, planning and consulting services, announced today that Brad Brown, P.E., has been named Southern Texas Office Executive, where he will provide senior operations oversight of four offices, including Houston, Austin and San Antonio, as well as Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In his new role, Mr. Brown will strategically identify and build teams to support new disciplines, while also focusing on protecting and growing Michael Baker’s core business in Construction Services, Highway, Planning and Water.

“Brad has nearly four decades of experience in the planning, design and construction management of major civil site, transportation and aviation projects,” said Tommy Montgomery, Southern Regional Director at Michael Baker International. “I am confident his deep experience and broad industry knowledge will help drive growth in the Southern Region and across Michael Baker.”

Mr. Brown joined Michael Baker in 2019 as Regional Practice Lead – Transportation and Construction Services. He was instrumental in driving growth in the Transportation and Construction Services markets, including the firm’s work with the Texas Department of Transportation, Arkansas Department of Transportation, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Toll Authorities. He has been responsible for successfully marketing professional services across Texas, managing traditional delivery projects, providing construction management services, leading alternate delivery projects, business development, recruiting, staff development and project performance with an emphasis on surface transportation projects.

Mr. Brown holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University.

About Michael Baker International

Michael Baker International is a leading provider of engineering and consulting services. The firm’s Practices encompass all facets of infrastructure, including design, civil engineering, planning, architecture, environmental, construction and program management. For more than 80 years, the company has been a trusted partner, providing comprehensive services and solutions to commercial clients and all branches of the military, as well as federal, state and municipal governments. Embracing emerging technologies and the latest innovations – like intelligent transportation and design-build project delivery – Michael Baker is an industry leader that delivers expertise and quality. The firm’s more than 3,000 employees across nearly 100 locations are committed to Making a Difference for clients and communities through a culture of innovation, collaboration and technological advancement. To learn more, visit https://mbakerintl.com/.

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Contact: Julia Covelli

Email: [email protected]

LITTLE ROCK, Ar. (December 2, 2021) – Michael Baker International, a global leader in engineering, planning and consulting services, has been selected by the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) for a three-year, $50 million maximum value On-Call Design Services contract. The statewide contract will focus on the design of highway projects in Arkansas on an as-needed basis through the end of 2024 and aligns with the Connecting Arkansas Program, one of the largest highway construction programs ever undertaken by ARDOT.

“Michael Baker has worked throughout Arkansas for nearly 20 years and our personnel bring extensive local experience and knowledge to this new contract,” said Amanda Furr, Office Executive for Michael Baker International’s Little Rock office. “We are proud to build upon our partnership with ARDOT and be a part of Arkansas’s growing infrastructure programs. Our team is committed to delivering trust, expertise and innovation to achieve success for the state’s On-Call Design Services projects.”

Under this contract, Michael Baker will undertake a variety of projects, including resurfacing, restoration, rehabilitation, reconstruction, new construction, capacity improvements, intersection improvements, conceptual layouts, site design, cost estimates, engineering studies, value engineering studies or any other design-oriented tasks needed for project development for ARDOT.

About Michael Baker International

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Contact: Julia Covelli

Email: [email protected]

NEW YORK (November 23, 2021) – Michael Baker International, a global leader in engineering, planning and consulting services, announced today that Elizabeth Bradford, M.S., ENV SP, has joined the firm as Vice President, National Resilience Lead. In this newly created role, Ms. Bradford will be instrumental in helping Michael Baker provide integrated sustainability and resilience services across all sectors, markets, disciplines, geographies and project life cycles – both as part of the company’s infrastructure, environmental, community and Federal projects, as well as stand-alone or complementary services.

“The national profile of Michael Baker’s sustainability and resilience services enables us to integrate and optimize our services across our organization and incorporate innovative technologies, while expanding our local, regional, national and international expertise,” said Niek Veraart, National Practice Lead – Planning at Michael Baker International. “With Elizabeth’s leadership and expertise, we will continue building more resilient organizations and communities capable of responding effectively in any natural or man-made emergency situation and leading sustainability and resilience risk assessments and mitigation strategies for our clients.”

Ms. Bradford brings with her more than 27 years of industry experience across a broad range of sectors, including a track record of translating sustainability and resilience strategy into individual ownership and action throughout an organization. She most recently served as the Global Technology Leader for Resilient & Sustainable Infrastructure Planning at Jacobs, where she provided management consulting services to address infrastructure challenges while planning environmentally and socially resilient and sustainable projects and programs. Before joining Jacobs, she served seven years in the U.S. Navy Construction Force and spent nearly 10 years at CH2M in a variety of leadership roles.

Ms. Bradford’s work has been recognized with the 2017 Environmental Business Journal’s Industry Leadership Award for developing the Resiliency and Sustainability Framework and the 2019 City & State New York Responsible 100 Infrastructure Award. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from the University of South Alabama and a Master of Science degree in Earth Science from Dartmouth College.

About Michael Baker International

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Contact: Julia Covelli

Email: [email protected]

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (November 15, 2021) – Michael Baker International, a global leader in engineering, planning and consulting services, announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has selected the firm’s Advancing Resilience in Communities (ARC) Joint Venture (JV) to provide Architectural and Engineering services under FEMA’s Production and Technical Services (PTS) contract. Michael Baker will lead the ARC JV, which also includes Wood, Moffatt & Nichol, Freese and Nichols, Tetra Tech, Quantum Spatial/NV5 Geospatial and more than 20 subconsultants, in the execution of a five-year, $300 million maximum value indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract to perform PTS work in FEMA’s Zone 1. PTS services will include providing technical expertise to support FEMA’s administration of the National Flood Insurance Program, such as generating/evaluating flood hazard and risk information and supporting the development and application of mitigation, planning, flood mapping and modeling activities. The contract falls under the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration’s (FIMA) Risk Mapping, Assessment and Planning (Risk MAP) program.

“The PTS contract is the cornerstone of Michael Baker’s history of supporting FEMA. We began supporting this type of work more than 40 years ago for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), before FEMA was established in 1979,” said Dale Gray, Vice President and Office Executive, Emergency Management and Response at Michael Baker International. “Our team has a long-standing history of helping communities become more resilient and together with our JV partners, we look forward to continuing to carry out our mission of realizing more strategic emergency preparedness and mitigation planning.”

As part of the Risk MAP program, FEMA works with federal, state, tribal and local partners across the nation to identify flood risk and promote informed planning and development practices to help reduce that risk. The ARC team will oversee project management and integration of the mapping projects, hazard mitigation and disaster support throughout Zone 1, which covers geographic areas affected primarily by north Atlantic storm events, severe winter storms and coastal storm surge. Zone 1 includes the following FEMA regions:

FEMA Headquarters in Washington, DC
Region 1: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
Region 2: New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands
Region 3: District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia
Region 5: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin

About Michael Baker International

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Contact: Julia Covelli

Email: [email protected]

RICHMOND, Va. (November 9, 2021) – Michael Baker International, a global leader in engineering, planning and consulting services, announced today a series of organizational updates in its Mid-Atlantic Region to drive growth and strengthen its position across the region and within the energy, state transportation and Federal markets. Lorna Parkins, FAICP, has been promoted to Office Executive of the firm’s Richmond, Virginia, office. She takes over the position from Paul Baginski, P.E., who is stepping into a new role as Energy Lead for the Mid-Atlantic Region. Additionally, John Mentz is transitioning into a new position as Operations Manager for Department of Defense programs for the Virginia Beach office.

“Lorna, Paul and John all bring decades of experience to their new leadership roles and I am confident they will continue to deliver project excellence for our clients throughout the firm and Mid-Atlantic Region,” said John Walsh, Mid-Atlantic Regional Director at Michael Baker International. “These three strategic promotions speak to the impressive talent we have within our company and the colleagues who are ready to step up for our clients, lead our people and lead our business.”

Lorna Parkins, FAICP, has been with Michael Baker for 23 years and most recently served as Vice President and Regional Practice Lead – Planning for the Mid-Atlantic Region, where she collaborated with numerous offices and groups regarding strategic planning, technical development, project delivery and quality control practices for planners across the company. In her new leadership role, Ms. Parkins will lead the Richmond office focusing on accelerating growth in the state and region, capitalizing on her excellent reputation and relationships with clients such as the Virginia Department of Transportation, Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation and numerous Metropolitan Planning Organizations. Ms. Parkins earned a Master of Science degree in Applied Economics from the University of Minnesota and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Planning/Urban Affairs from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. She is a member of the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Certified Planners.
Paul Baginski, P.E., will be responsible for the health and growth of the region’s energy initiatives in his role as Energy Lead for the Mid-Atlantic Region, focusing on client engagement, project delivery and capturing new business within the sector. With the ever-changing demands of traditional and renewable energy sources and transmission, Mr. Baginski will leverage his talents to collaborate with clients and develop the appropriate resources to support projects in the energy sector and will focus on working with teaming partners to convert this agreement into executable work for the region. He has previously managed private sector utility company portfolios for Utah Power and Light, Nevada Power Company and Exelon. Mr. Baginski earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Colorado and his Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies from Rollins College.
John Mentz is transitioning into a new position as Operations Manager for Department of Defense (DoD) programs for the firm’s Virginia Beach office. Among those programs are the Defense Logistics Agency-Energy’s (DLA-E) Military Fuels Leak Detection Program. For more than a decade, Michael Baker has supported DLA-E, which is responsible for 95%of the fuel storage tanks on all U.S. military installations worldwide. As the firm continues its investment into Federal programs, Mr. Mentz will leverage his 40 years of industry experience and provide regulatory-required and best management practice leak detection tests or compliance actions at Air Force, Army, Navy, United States Marine Corps and DLA-E fuel facilities worldwide, supporting DLA-E’s leak detection Centrally Managed Program. He has been with Michael Baker for 29 years and has extensive experience working on environmental issues with Federal clients, including the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Atlantic, NAVFAC Southeast, U.S. Navy and U.S. Department of Defense. Mr. Mentz earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Geosciences from Pennsylvania State University.

About Michael Baker International

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Contact: Julia Covelli

Email: [email protected]

RANCHO CORDOVA, Cali. (November 4, 2021) – Michael Baker International, a global leader in engineering, planning and consulting services, announced today that Ali Seyedmadani, Ph.D., P.E., has joined the firm as Office Executive for Rancho Cordova, California. Mr. Seyedmadani will focus on implementing strategies to accelerate business growth across the West Region, including adding new markets, developing clients and expanding the capabilities of the office.

“Ali is a proven leader with a history of managing complex transportation projects, project pursuits and delivery for more than 30 years,” said Malcolm Dougherty, West Regional Director at Michael Baker International. “His experience in project management, design, quality control and constructability review of major projects will be invaluable as he steers the Rancho Cordova office and helps execute quality projects for our clients in the West Region.”

Mr. Seyedmadani joins Michael Baker after 34 years at WSP (formerly Parsons Brinckerhoff), including overseeing staff, project pursuits and delivery in six states, including California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada and Hawaii, as well as in Guam. He has also been involved in major Design-Build and alternative delivery projects and has managed all phases of project delivery including planning, environmental, final design and design services during construction. His work has also included close coordination with state, city and local agencies, as well as Federal Highway Administration staff. In his most recent role as Project Manager and Senior Technical Director at WSP, Mr. Seyedmadani actively pursued and managed transportation projects in Northern California and was instrumental in marketing, developing pursuit strategies, and assisting in proposal development, as well as working closely with senior management teams to achieve companywide goals, work sharing, training and staff mentorship.

Mr. Seyedmadani holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Engineering and a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering, with a major in Structures and minor in Geotechnical Engineering, from Arizona State University.

About Michael Baker International

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Contact: Julia Covelli

Email: [email protected]

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (October 12, 2021) – Michael Baker International, a global leader in engineering, planning and consulting services, announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has selected Resilience Action Partners, the firm’s joint venture (JV) with Ogilvy, for a five-year, $250 million maximum value Community Engagement and Risk Communication (CERC) indefinite delivery indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract. Under this contract, Resilience Action Partners will support FEMA by collaborating with state and local entities to increase awareness and understanding of flood risks, recognize the value of flood hazard mapping and encourage citizens and communities to take action to mitigate the risk of, and the damages that result from, flood events. The contract is a continuation of Resilience Action Partners’ relationship with FEMA to provide risk communication and mitigation planning services.

“Michael Baker has worked with FEMA in a variety of capacities for nearly five decades. As we look ahead, our team is dedicated to driving a resilience movement from coast-to-coast. By identifying and mitigating the risks associated with natural disasters like flooding, we are building stronger communities and ultimately, a stronger nation,” said Dale Gray, Vice President and Office Executive, Emergency Management and Response at Michael Baker International. “Along with our partners at Ogilvy, we are proud to support FEMA in realizing a more resilient future through a collective effort centered on uniting FEMA employees, partners, community leaders and individuals around this shared goal.”

Resilience Action Partners was established in 2015 and unites two industry leaders to help FEMA reduce flood risk in communities across the nation as part of FEMA’s Risk Mapping, Assessment and Planning (Risk MAP) Program. The team uniquely blends engineering knowledge and technical expertise with communications prowess and behavioral science to help communities become more resilient.

“When we first started this journey with FEMA, we all understood the importance of speaking and engaging differently with communities about the changing risks that exist today. Over the past several years we have been able to take that to the next level, moving from a focus on increasing awareness of risks to driving action that reduces those risks,” said Meg Bartow, Executive Vice President of Resilience & Social Impact at Ogilvy. “Our team is incredibly passionate and fiercely proud of this work and the positive impact we’ve been able to have over the past several years. We look forward to working with FEMA and our partners at Michael Baker International to continue working to ensure communities can grow, get stronger and thrive.”

About Michael Baker International

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Contact: Julia Covelli

Email: [email protected]

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (September 16, 2021) – Michael Baker International, a global leader in engineering, planning and consulting services, announced today that Jake Watson, S.E., has been promoted to National Market Lead for Civilian Programs. In this newly created role, Mr. Watson will lead initiatives to expand the firm’s services for Federal clients, which includes the General Services Administration (GSA), Department of Agriculture, Department of Interior, National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA), Department of Homeland Security and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). During his time at Michael Baker, Mr. Watson has actively served many of these clients, and his in-depth industry knowledge will enable him to leverage the firm’s deep Federal talent to further deliver project excellence.

“Jake brings 25 years of industry experience to his new leadership role, including 14 years with Michael Baker,” said James E. Koch, Ph.D., P.E., Vice President, Federal Programs and Services at Michael Baker International. “Jake’s work with our firm has been repeatedly validated by industry recognition of his projects, and in his new role, he will continue to work closely with our other Federal National Market Leaders, National Practice Leads and our exceptional Federal talent throughout Michael Baker to increase our presence in Federal markets, expand our work with current clients and add new clients to our business.”

Mr. Watson joined Michael Baker in 2007 and most recently served as Senior Vice President of Federal Operations. Throughout his career, he has delivered a diverse range of projects for Federal clients, including the GSA, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Department of the Air Force, Army Corps of Engineers and the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC), among many others. During his tenure with Michael Baker, his work has won awards from the Air Force Material Command, American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

Mr. Watson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Utah.

About Michael Baker International

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Contact: Julia Covelli

Email: [email protected]

PITTSBURGH (September 15, 2021) – Michael Baker International, a global leader in engineering, planning and consulting services, announced today that Tommy Montgomery, P.E., has been named Executive Vice President and Regional Director for the firm’s newly created Southern Region, combining the company’s Southeast and Gulf Coast Regions into one larger, unified entity. The new Southern Region includes nearly 20 offices throughout the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas. In his new leadership role, Mr. Montgomery will provide strategic guidance and leadership to solve infrastructure challenges across the region, enhance the firm’s growth opportunities with existing and new clients and expand its presence in key Practices, such as Transportation, Bridge and Construction Services. Additionally, the firm announced that Juan Contreras, P.E., will step into a new position as Senior Vice President of Business Development, Southern Region.

“Tommy is an exceptionally talented Operations leader with a proven track record of impressive growth and a reputation for delivering quality projects and cultivating deep relationships with clients,” said Brian A. Lutes, President and Chief Executive Officer of Michael Baker International. “I’m confident that his ‘do whatever it takes’ mentality and sincere leadership style will help us to develop innovative, sound and sustainable infrastructure solutions for our clients and capitalize on the incredible opportunities in the Southern Region.”

Mr. Montgomery is a seasoned leader with 30 years of experience, including 25 years with Michael Baker, where he has assumed positions of increasing responsibility, most recently serving as Regional Director for the firm’s Southeast Region. He previously served as Office Executive responsible for Michael Baker’s Georgia and Tennessee operations. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia.

As Senior Vice President of Business Development, Southern Region, Mr. Contreras will focus on growing the firm’s business in Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana and lead the Regional Practice Leaders in these states. During his 36-year career, Mr. Contreras has built strong partnerships with numerous clients and has led the design and management of large-scale transportation projects. “I am grateful to have Juan’s leadership, experience and dedication as we initiate this new Regional structure, and I look forward to what Juan and the entire Southern Region will accomplish,” said Mr. Lutes.

Mr. Contreras holds a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering (Structures) from the University of Texas at Austin and a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University.

About Michael Baker International

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Contact: Julia Covelli

Email: [email protected]

PITTSBURGH (September 13, 2021) – Michael Baker International, a global leader in engineering, planning and consulting services, announced today that Michael J. Conaboy, P.E., has been promoted to Executive Vice President and National Design-Build Executive. He joins the firm’s Executive Leadership Team, reporting to Brian A. Lutes, President and Chief Executive Officer, and will continue to be based in the firm’s Santa Ana, California, office.

As National Design-Build Executive, Mr. Conaboy will provide seasoned, expert leadership for the company’s Design-Build organization for both the pursuit and execution phases of projects and manage collaborative efforts between the firm’s Regions and offices.

“With Mike’s appointment as National Design-Build Executive, we are furthering our commitment to executing projects with innovative project delivery methods and collaborating with contractors and owners to provide design solutions tailored to each individual project,” said Brian A. Lutes, President and Chief Executive Officer at Michael Baker International. “Mike has spent nearly three decades with Michael Baker, managing multiple offices, as well as projects in various Practices throughout his tenure, including Transportation, Water and Federal – all of which utilize Design-Build delivery. Additionally, under Mike’s leadership, Michael Baker secured and successfully executed the largest Design-Build project in our company’s more than 80-year history with the $673 million Interstate 10 Corridor Express Lanes project in San Bernardino County. His deep understanding of Design-Build project delivery and proven track record will help set Michael Baker apart with our clients and further drive growth in our Design-Build Practice.”

Mr. Conaboy’s career with Michael Baker spans 27 years and most recently saw him serve in the role of Regional Director for the firm’s West Region. His additional senior leadership roles with the company include National Practice Lead for Water, Office Executive for Hamilton, New Jersey, and Area Executive for New York and New Jersey.

Mr. Conaboy has volunteered his time and expertise to numerous organizations including: the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Council of Engineering Companies, Engineers Without Borders and the Association of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers. He also has served as an adjunct professor of hydrology and hydraulics for graduate-school programs at Drexel University and the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Conaboy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Drexel University and a Master of Science degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

About Michael Baker International

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Contact: Julia Covelli

Email: [email protected]