People News: HNTB, Sound Transit

Mark Lester, Project Director, Associate Vice President, HNTB (left); and Terri Mestas, Deputy CEO, Sound Transit (right).

Mark Lester joins HNTB as a Project Director and Associate Vice President. Also, Terri Mestas joins Sound Transit as Deputy CEO for megaproject delivery.

HNTB

HNTB announced March 26 that Mark Lester, PE, PMP, has joined the firm’s Carolinas office as a Project Director and Associate Vice President.

With 32 years of transportation engineering, project management and leadership experience, Lester’s extensive career includes more than two decades with the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) where he last served as Deputy Secretary for Intermodal Planning, overseeing all components of the Statewide Multimodal Transportation Plan and Statewide Transportation Improvement Program.

In his new role, Lester will lead significant transportation infrastructure projects for clients throughout the region, “driving the advancement of large-scale initiatives aimed at enhancing mobility,” HNTB stated in a release. This entails overseeing all aspects of the project lifecycle, from scope development to cost and quality control and project management.

“Mark brings an impressive record of achievements and proven leadership experience to help take our transportation practice to the next level,” said HNTB Carolinas Office Leader and Senior Vice President Spencer Franklin, PE. “His deep understanding of the transportation network across the Carolinas and long tenure with SCDOT will bring significant value to our clients and enhance HNTB’s capabilities to continue delivering on complex projects throughout the region.”

“I’m thrilled to welcome Mark to our dynamic team in South Carolina,” said HNTB South Carolina Practice Lead and Vice President Shannon Meder. “With our firm’s ongoing expansion to meet the rising demand for our comprehensive infrastructure services, Mark’s demonstrated expertise in team growth and development, coupled with his extensive background in business development and client relations, will be vital to further maximize HNTB’s position in the market.”

Prior to joining HNTB, Lester served as a Senior Project Manager and Client Service Leader for another consulting firm. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from Clemson University and is a registered Professional Engineer in South Carolina, as well as a certified Project Management Professional.

Sound Transit

Sound Transit on March 27 announced that Terri Mestas has been appointed as Deputy CEO for megaproject delivery, a new position created to “lead the development of the agency’s concurrent projects quickly and effectively and bring forth ways to accelerate project timelines and reduce capital expenditures.” Mestas will start in her new position on April 29.

According to Sound Transit, the agency currently has the largest transit expansion program in the country, including ST3 capital projects totaling an estimated $54 billion.

Mestas is a seasoned professional with more than 30 years of experience leading large, complex infrastructure programs for space exploration, military installations, national and international antiterrorism physical security, and innovative project delivery for the aviation industry. Most recently, she was the Chief Development officer for the Los Angeles World Airports’ (LAWA) $30 billion capital improvement program, the largest aviation capital improvement program in the nation.

Prior to her executive leadership role at LAWA, Mestas held several positions for AECOM supporting public and private organizations. She led the capital improvement program at NASA’s Ames Research Center, which includes Moffett Federal Airfield, a joint civilian-military airport. She also held the position of senior director for capital projects, modernization, planning, design and construction at The California Institute of Technology, where she oversaw the development of one-of-a-kind research facilities. Mestas earned a Bachelor of Architecture from Catholic University of America’s School of Architecture and Planning.

“The next phase of Sound Transit’s expansion is categorically different than what the agency has done before, which is why the Board sought an experienced leader to deliver on our commitment to voters,” said Sound Transit Board Chair and King County Executive Dow Constantine. “With her background as a leader of large, complex infrastructure programs, Ms. Mestas brings the depth of experience and expertise that the agency needs to set the nation’s largest capital expansion project on a fresh path to success.”

“With the opening of the Lynnwood Link Extension just months away, we are even more focused on extending light rail to Everett,” said Sound Transit Vice Chair and Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers. “The Everett Link Extension will be the longest extension that Sound Transit will have ever undertaken and will be vital for enhancing economic opportunities and quality of life for Snohomish County residents. I’m pleased that Ms. Mestas will bring her wealth of experience to oversee this complex project, as well as all the ST3 projects.”

“Since before ST3’s approval in 2016, it’s been clear that voters want Sound Transit to build capital projects faster. Hiring a deputy CEO of megaproject delivery represents a critical next step in delivering transformative transit for our region,” said Sound Transit System Expansion Committee Chair and King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci. “By implementing a key recommendation of the Technical Advisory Group, today’s announcement is a huge step forward to accelerate project delivery. We’re fortunate that Ms. Mestas is willing to bring her incredible experience to take on this challenge. I look forward to collaborating with her and her team to execute on that commitment to build fast, frequent, reliable transit for the people of Central Puget Sound.”

“It is absolutely essential that a culture of accountability and delivery is instilled at Sound Transit, especially while managing the largest transit megaproject in the nation,” said Sound Transit Board Member and Pierce County Executive Bruce Dammeier. “That’s why I’m excited we have brought on Terri Mestas as Sound Transit’s first deputy CEO of megaproject delivery. Our communities have been paying taxes for decades and we have to make sure we are delivering for the entire region – including Pierce County. A leader like Terri is critical to accomplishing this.”

“Sound Transit’s capital program needs a strong leader who understands and can manage complex, multibillion dollar programs,” said Grace Crunican, Chair of the Technical Advisory Group, or TAG. “TAG members were part of the selection process and believe Ms. Mestas is the right choice to deliver this program.”

“I’m excited to be joining Sound Transit at this critical juncture in its transformative capital program,” said Mestas. “The hard work and dedication of the talented staff have been essential to the program’s success to date, and I look forward to working with them in taking the program to the next level in achieving the goals that voters have entrusted to us.”