People News: Balfour Beatty; MDOT MTA
Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
Balfour Beatty and Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) have announced leadership appointments.
At Balfour Beatty, Mark Konchar has been named Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Rail Operations, serving the Class I, regional/short line and industrial railroad; traction power; and rail transit authority markets. He is also a member of the company’s U.S. Civils leadership team.
A 23-year Balfour Beatty veteran, Konchar has held several roles leading federal practice, innovation and lean construction methodologies, strategic procurement, and large design-build and design-assist projects. He served most recently as Senior Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer, overseeing integrated and alternative delivery projects. In his new position, Konchar will continue to lead the company’s Strategic Procurement program in the U.S.
“Mark’s new role to head Balfour Beatty’s Rail business highlights the strategic importance and investment in our Rail team as an integral part of our infrastructure offerings,” Balfour Beatty U.S. CEO Leon Blondin said. “He is a strategic and innovative leader who is driven to provide results and nurture the potential of team members who work around the clock to deliver vital infrastructure that enhances our communities.”
At MDOT MTA, Jerome E. Howard Jr. has been promoted to the rank of Colonel and assumed the role of Chief of Police. He had been serving as acting Chief of the 238-member department since December 2001, and he succeeds Col. John E. Gavrilis, retired. Howard was previously Operations Bureau Commander, responsible for managing all personnel and police operations, including criminal investigations, and developing relationships between MDOT MTA Police and the public.
“Chief Howard has shown himself to be a strong leader of the officers under his command while championing numerous community outreach efforts at the MDOT MTA Police force,” MDOT Secretary James F. Ports, Jr. said. “Chief Howard will draw on his deep knowledge of the Baltimore area and the state to make decisions that benefit the safety and security of all transit riders.”
Additionally, Robert Stanley has been elevated to Lieutenant Colonel, and named MDOT MTA Deputy Chief of Police, succeeding Lt. Col. Fred Damron. He has served as acting Deputy Chief since December 2021.
Previously, Stanley was MDOT MTA Police Director of Intel for Homeland Security and Chairman of the Transit and Transportation Subcommittee with the US Attorney’s Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council.
