Parsons hires new VP, transportation program director

Parsons has hired David Nichols, former Director of the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), as Vice President, Transportation Program Director, the company announced on July1, 2015. He will serve as a senior executive on major projects while also assisting Parsons with relationship development in national and international strategic markets.

“We are delighted that David has chosen Parsons as the best place to continue his impressive career and contribution to the transportation industry,” said Todd Wager, Parsons Group President. “His proven leadership skills and ability to identify and implement innovative solutions for transportation needs will serve our existing and potential customers well.”

Nichols commented, “Having worked with Parsons on a variety of MoDOT pojects over the years, I know the corporation is committed to providing high-quality services and products. Their people are exceptionally talented and knowledgeable. I’m excited to join them in delivering to customers the best solutions for their toughest transportation challenges.”

Nichols has more than 30 years of professional engineering experience with MoDOT. As Director, he was responsible for a $2.2 billion budget and oversaw all construction and maintenance projects related to the state’s 34,000 centerline miles of roads, 10,400 bridges, and other modes of transportation related to aviation, waterways, rail, mass transit, bicycles and pedestrians. He developed Missouri’s comprehensive transportation long-range plan and served as a liaison with the Governor of Missouri on transportation-related issues. He is experienced in the design-build process and public-private partnerships, as well as the design and implementation of comprehensive safety programs for the welfare of motorists, employees, construction personnel and law enforcement.

At MoDOT, Nichols was responsible for the implementation of practical design, which focuses on scoping projects to stay within the core purpose and need. This process eliminated nonessential project design elements, saving taxpayer dollars while improving value.

Nichols is a registered professional engineer and received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Missouri in Columbia. He is an immediate past member of the Board of Directors of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, where he also served as Vice Chair of the association’s Standing Committee on Performance Management. In this capacity, Nichols testified before Congress on the value of performance-based management for departments of transportation.